Interior design various contaminants, CO2 , benzene,


formaldehyde and so on. Ensure plants are safe, non toxic and


do not represent a hazard to users. Plants are also a way to create natural biophilic designs and add fragrance with scented plants, such as rosemary and lavender.


Biophilia For me, a key element of design is to create ‘a view within the room’. Clients and residents will often hear me talk of this. The essential part of this concept is embodying features that emulate the natural world in the design. Biophilic design is known to generate a feeling of wellbeing by bringing the outside in through designing with plants, natural materials, stone, wood, and incorporating green space and blue space, such as water features and aquariums. Organic and mineral features


reflecting the natural world are beneficial for wellbeing through improved air quality and psychological health. Appealing indoor and outdoor spaces can also encourage exercise. Probably the most important natural


design is access to outside space and garden. The garden should be inviting for residents and guests as well as providing views for less mobile residents. The openings to the outside are also a key way to bring fresh air into the home.


Activity Activities are vital for residents’ physical and mental wellbeing. From an interior design perspective, functional beautiful spaces should be formed that stimulate activities in lounges, specialist gyms and garden spaces. Internal and external walking routes


with seating for views or nature watching encourage walking and can be greatly beneficial for all residents, including those with dementia. Activities that stimulate the senses can be enabled by designs incorporating sensory gardens, vegetable gardens or bird-feeding tables that can be viewed from lounges.


Smart technology The implementation of smart technologies into care home designs will be a catalyst for improvements to health and wellbeing in the coming decade. It will ease the monitoring of temperature, lighting and air quality, thus bringing greater control and efficiency.


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simple - common sense is key. There are many things that can be done quickly and cost-effectively, such as the following. l Add some plants create a ‘room with a view’ – integrate elements which reflect the natural enviroment, bringing the outside in.


l Natural daylight is the best form of lighting - keep a window furnishing as far back from the windows as possible for as much light as possible.


l Changes in daylight over the course of the day help to signal the passing of time and maintain normal sleeping patterns - draw the curtains in the evening and soften the light.


l Monitor temperature control and have cooler and warmer seating areas as per personal preference.


Personal devices such as smart


watches and tablets will enable activities and monitor the individual needs of each resident. As we have seen during the pandemic, the use of smart care home technologies, as well as handheld devices, tablets, laptops and phones, has enabled many residents and families to have contact. Interior designs should anticipate


these innovations with effective broadband, smart devices and technology such as screens that can enhance resident experiences such as nature monitoring, games and exercise, virtual tourism, and social events. In the future, it is likely that designs may have to cater for robots that will support cleaning and care for residents - these are already being trialled in parts of the world.


Assessing wellbeing performance Just as overall health of residents is monitored, the impact of care home installations on wellbeing should also be assessed for performance. Air, lighting, and temperatures can be monitored and residents’ views taken on their use of facilities and comfort. Bringing wellness criteria into a home


design will deliver tangible benefits rather than being a ‘nice to have’. Future schemes that deliver improvements can be attained through monitoring successes and failures in designs.


Quick wins for wellbeing design Wellbeing improvements can be implemented in most care homes without a large budget. Start today by making small changes and keeping it


l Review the layout to encourage activities - furniture often gets moved around in rooms and buildings, a quick check of the positioning in a room can enhance the utilisation of space.


Health and wellbeing are at the core of care provision and very effectively achieved in many homes. Successful interior designs enable


this without radically changing care provision. Even a little can go a long way to make a provider stand out against the competition and enhance the perception of the quality of a care home.


TCHE


Victoria Bellerby


Victoria Bellerby is founder of BellaBe Design Consultancy. As a creative, Victoria has designed and delivered solutions for hundreds of resident schemes. She specialises in combining wellness, sustainability and commercial drivers to deliver solutions for care homes for later living. Contact: victoria@bellabedesign.com.


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • March 2021


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