Dementia design
to reduce distraction. Only toilet doors are colour-coded and clearly marked with traditional male and female symbols because that is the one place where signage still matters. Where murals are used, they serve a purpose – such as a café mural that provides the background to a real café that serves tea and cake. They help residents live in the moment, feel safe, and engage meaningfully with their surroundings. Our SDCC’s pioneering approach is
also designed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for people who may display distressed behaviours – offering an alternative to traditional reliance on antipsychotic medication or one-to-one supervision. The strength of our SDCC model rests
in its clinical and therapeutic foundation. Each resident benefits from the expertise of assistant psychologists, who work closely with the care team to understand the root causes of distress and tailor support accordingly. This ensures every care plan is grounded
in clinical insight and personalised to the individual. Therapeutic wellbeing practitioners engage residents in meaningful activities that bring joy and familiarity, from watching a favourite football team to
Many care
environments still rely on
outdated design principles
enjoying music from their youth. Our colleagues receive specialist training
and development, equipping them with advanced skills to deliver this unique model of care. The SDCC also incorporates bespoke assessment tools, both pre- admission and ongoing, supported by continuous input from our expert Dementia Care Team. These elements create a truly holistic and
forward-thinking approach to dementia care that prioritises dignity, understanding, and quality of life.
Lighting, layout, and design The design, lighting and layout of the SDCCs ensures that everything is planned to be as
low arousal as possible to meet the needs of this cohort of residents who experience distress as their dementia advances. Low arousal design is not about creating
bland or sterile spaces. It is about thoughtful design using soft or neutral tones instead of brash colours. We remove unnecessary signage and
instead use everyday cues – familiar furniture, domestic layouts, and intuitive design. This helps residents understand where they are and what they are meant to do. In addition, lighting is a vital component
in achieving a low arousal environment. Natural light is maximised to support visual clarity and maintain circadian rhythms which are both critical for people with dementia. Good visual access, the capacity of
residents to see or sense where they are or want to go, helps residents intuitively understand where they are and where they want to go without needing to rely on memory or reasoning. This is known as instinctive wayfinding, which is essential in advanced dementia, where decision-making is impaired. It reduces anxiety, supports independence, and helps residents move through their
October 2025
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