Interior design
Artful healing: how thoughtful artwork enhances dementia care
Laina Soucek, art consultant at The Fine Art Company, discusses the power of art in care environments, with reference to a recent project at Langtree Care Home in Wigan
Art can do much more than decorate a wall. In a care home, it can calm and comfort, spark conversation, help residents find their way, and rekindle treasured memories. For people living with dementia, thoughtful artwork can provide both visual stimulation and emotional connection, transforming a care home into a genuine home. At Langtree Care Home in Standish
near Wigan, this philosophy guided every decision. I collaborated with managing director Omair Haider of Millennium Care and interior designer Joyce Clutton – an expert in dementia-friendly design – to curate and supply the complete collection of framed artwork for this newly built home. The project became a true partnership, blending Omair’s vision, Joyce’s expertise in wellbeing-focused interiors, and my experience in sourcing art for care
environments. Together, we aimed to create a scheme that would enhance the design and support the daily lives of residents and staff.
The brief: art with purpose The brief was detailed: to provide framed artworks for 52 en suite bedrooms, bathrooms, wet rooms, corridors, stairwells, and communal areas such as lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, the reception, and music room. But it went beyond style. Langtree Care Home specialises in caring for residents living with dementia, so choosing images required deep thought and sensitivity. “Interior design for wellbeing in care
homes is far more than making things look pretty by choosing curtains and table lamps to match paint colours and carpets,” Joyce explained. “The best designers go beyond the look
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and feel of a space to incorporate a care model that supports residents’ everyday needs, and also addresses mobility, sight, hearing, and memory.” Art was to play a vital role in this
philosophy by connecting people to memories, evoking calm, and helping residents to navigate their environment confidently.
A sense of place: the Lake District connection Langtree Care Home sits on the edge of the Lake District, an area that holds special significance for Omair. “I’ve spent a lot of time walking the fells,” he told me. “It’s a landscape that feels timeless and grounding. It seemed the perfect inspiration for a care environment designed to bring comfort and familiarity.”
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