Dementia design
The strength of our SDCC
model rests in its clinical and therapeutic foundation
environment with confidence. Rather than layering signage onto the environment, we provide integrated orientation into the very fabric of the design. We want to create spaces that speak for
themselves – where a lounge looks like a lounge and a dining room feels like a place to eat. Again, this is especially important in advanced dementia, where decision-making is a source of anxiety. Hallways are not just corridors – they are
part of the living space. They offer places to sit, linger, and engage, and they support the rhythm of daily life. They remind us that the moments spent between rooms can be just as meaningful as those spent within them.
Designing for dignity, not just function Design should never be solely about decoration; it should be about dignity by supporting independence and reducing anxiety and agitation. Our SDCCs are built to feel like real homes to provide a sense of familiarity, continuity, and reassurance. Buildings are only as effective as the
way they are used but, in extreme cases, poor design can prevent people from living well altogether. The knowledge base for dementia design is still growing, but there is agreement that we need to reduce unhelpful stimulation, excessive noise, and
create environments that are recognisable, meaningful, and calming. To learn from the poor design of the past,
our SDCCs have been designed through listening to residents, understanding their lived experience, and curating with empathy, evidence, and dignity at the core. HC-One is proud to be leading the way
with our SDCC model, but this is bigger than one organisation. As a sector, we must move beyond outdated ideas of what dementia-friendly design looks like. Across our wider portfolio, many homes
reflect this same ethos – drawing on low- arousal and homely design, with meaningful engagement to ensure every resident experiences care rooted in dignity and understanding. The future of dementia care lies in
integrated, empathetic environments – and we are proud to be applying these principles not just in our SDCCs, but throughout our homes. The next generation of care settings must accommodate increasing cognitive and physical impairments, and promote dignity, autonomy, and emotional wellbeing. We must embrace environments that are
not only functional but also life enhancing, soothing, and empowering. When we design with empathy and dignity at the core, we do not just create better buildings – we create better lives. n
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com October 2025
Professor Graham Stokes
Professor Graham Stokes is director of dementia and specialist service innovation at HC-One and an honorary visiting professor of person-centred dementia care at the University of Bradford. A clinical psychologist by training, he has specialised in dementia care since 1984 and has held senior roles across the NHS and international care organisations, including as global director of dementia care at Bupa. Widely recognised for his pioneering work in person-centred dementia care, Prof. Stokes has authored influential publications, including And Still The Music Plays and Watching The Leaves Dance, and has contributed to national inquiries and strategy groups shaping dementia care policy.
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