Dementia care
Dementia-friendly design on a budget
With budgets under continued pressure, Kerry Southern- Reason, CEO of Care Home Interiors Group, looks at how dementia-friendly design need not come with an off-putting price tag
According to Alzheimer’s Society: ‘There are around 900,000 people estimated to be living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years. Latest figures indicate that 14 per cent of people have mild symptoms of dementia, 28 per cent have moderate symptoms and 58 per cent have severe symptoms.’1 With those figures, you can begin to understand why the care home environment plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences of residents, especially those living with dementia. It has the potential to enhance quality of life, minimise disorientation and stress, and promote autonomy and personal connections.
Yet good interior design is still an obstacle to good living experiences, as many care home operators assume creating a dementia-friendly environment will come with a hefty price tag. This article aims to debunk that myth and demonstrate how achieving an enabling and dementia- friendly interior through design can be achieved without a large budget. To create a dementia-friendly environment, you must first understand the unique needs of each individual living with dementia. The complication is that dementia is individual, and there is no one- size-fits-all solution. However a dementia- friendly design focuses on accessibility, familiarity, comfort, and safety. These elements can alleviate confusion, anxiety, and agitation associated with dementia.
Start with the FACS We always start from empathy. Empathy
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for how people feel, think, and interact. Using our knowledge and experience of interacting with people living with dementia makes it easier for us to design with real purpose and positive effect.
Familiarity: Familiar environments can help reduce disorientation. Using homely designs with recognisable items can trigger positive memories, promoting a sense of belonging e.g. a lounge generally has a fireplace and TV as focal points. Multi-purpose rooms are a departure from the traditional home layout and can be extremely confusing.
Accessibility: An accessible environment makes navigation easy for individuals with cognitive impairment. For instance, clear sightlines and proper signage can help residents identify and reach different areas without confusion e.g. bus stop type signs for toilets or any other sign that really emphasises the fact it is a toilet is
Dementia-friendly design focuses on accessibility, familiarity, comfort, and safety
incredibly helpful. One of biggest anxieties people living with dementia can have is how to access the toilet. Providing clear and obvious direction to a toilet alleviates anxiety but also aids in maintaining a level of independence they would otherwise not have.
Comfort: Comfortable environments minimise stress and encourage relaxation. Soothing colour palettes, comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and tactile fabrics and objects provide sensory feedback contributing to an overall calming ambiance.
Safety: Safety is paramount in dementia care. Designs should limit fall risks, secure potentially dangerous items, and ensure residents can be easily monitored.
Natural light
When designing on a budget, we start by taking advantage of natural light. Natural light not only enhances mood but also helps maintain the circadian rhythm, reducing ‘sundowning’ symptoms common in dementia patients. The University of Sterling document
Good practice in the design of homes and living spaces for people with dementia
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com June 2024
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