Flooring
designed interior care environments should make them feel safe within their surroundings – whether that be from dangers such as trips and falls or confusing layouts; to encouraging involvement and stimulation in all things, from the mundane to the creative; or aiding memory in day-to- day living and reinforcing personal identity. Design is therefore a critical therapeutic tool for promoting wellbeing, functionality, and pain reduction among older people and those living with dementia. As such, designers are now creating healthcare interiors that follow guidelines from experts in this field, such as the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling, the international centre of knowledge and expertise dedicated to improving the lives of people living with dementia. They are using such guidelines, together with specific expertise from product developers and manufacturers, to design care facilities with appropriate finishes and furnishings that provide patients with an environment in which they can move around with confidence, in safety, and without anxiety.
The design issues of environments for people living with dementia There are a range of design issues that can affect those living with dementia, with varying impact on the quality of life they lead. People living with dementia can experience a range of challenges, including sensory, mobility, or cognitive difficulties. This can affect functioning, behaviour, and independence, which can in turn make it difficult for them to understand and
May 2023
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
As one of the largest surface areas within any interior, flooring is an important part of any project
navigate the built environment. This can cause them to struggle when navigating spaces such as care homes, with wayfinding, spatial disorientation, and memory failure causing them to forget where they are going, as well as problems with spatial and depth awareness. These challenges can be exacerbated when mixed with other age- related conditions such as loss of sight or hearing.
A common problem for people living with dementia is the risk of falls caused by hazards in the environment. Falls not only cause serious injuries, but the repercussions can affect the physical and mental confidence of those involved. This can discourage movement within a space and limit their ability to interact with others, which can have the knock-on effect of diminishing mental health and a decrease in mental stimuli that is important for those living with dementia. Another factor of consideration is noise, with good acoustics key – especially when facilities are full to capacity with tenants, staff, and visitors. Although excess noise can affect us all, the impact is even greater for those living with dementia. As we grow older, for some of us, our hearing may deteriorate, which is called presbycusis (age-related hearing loss). Studies4
show
that more than 40 per cent of people over 50 years of age have hearing loss, rising to 70 per cent in people over the age of 70. Presbycusis can make it difficult for a person to tolerate loud sounds or to hear what others are saying. As such, it is important that excess noise is reduced to improve intelligibility of speech, in order for those with presbycusis to have conversations more easily. Those living with dementia are even more susceptible to the negative impact of excess noise than most, due to the fact that dementia can worsen the effects of sensory changes by altering how the person perceives external stimuli such as light and noise. Too much background noise can heighten stress for those living with dementia, adding to the stress they may already be feeling as a result of their other symptoms.
Therefore, when it comes to designing for neurodiverse people, such as those living with dementia, there are many different factors to consider to ensure a space is created that will positively impact those using the building.
By considering these factors and working together with specific experts, such as product developers and manufacturers and the DSDC, designers can confidently design care facilities that are fully equipped with the appropriate finishes and furnishings that will help to promote a better quality of life for residents – including the flooring.
Flooring’s role in dementia design As one of the largest surface areas within any interior, flooring is an important part of any project, so getting its specification
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