Design
Dementia Design at the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards in 2021.
The dining area has a lot of tonal contrast throughout, with the artwork standing out in contrast with simplistic graphic images on white backgrounds. Illustrating food such as vegetables makes the purpose of the room immediately clear; it provides an individual with confirmation that they are in the right place.
The lounge is a botanically-themed area. Bold and colourful, it is designed to engage the senses while remaining true to its function of being an area in which to sit and relax. The artwork reflects this by picking up on the theme of nature. Represented through the colourful bird and butterfly imagery, you can see that it all connects to its surroundings. Placed on a white background, the images become uncluttered, providing a visual connection with the upholstery and accessories around them. Again, this is a specific technique that ensures an individual can make sense of everything around them. It is logical and relatable – it looks right, so, in turn, it feels good.
The point to remember is that the design has not been ‘done to death’ – it has not become a theme park or childish representation of what the space it is. Both the dining room and lounge areas have retained their adult sophistication without being overly simplistic. The use of artwork has provided subtle and familiar cues that
Upton Mill Care Home – lounge
Get it wrong and the results can be devastating, resulting in creating more anxiety, agitation, and even depression
will engage and reassure individuals. Corridors can be a problem, especially
when they come to a dead-end rather than continuing. Stark corridors can become very scary places where confusion, disorientation, and anxiety can build quickly. When we are presented with what we call an ‘end space’, we promote it as a quieter and more comfortable area of a care home. Artwork can be prominent – chosen to be seen as a focal point when walking down the corridor. It also has the benefit of providing coherence with the styling around it. The main aim is to provide reassurance. If an individual finds themselves in this space, they can sit, collect their thoughts, reorientate, and then move on. We find that artwork can be an
Upton Mill Care Home – lounge September 2022
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
invaluable aid in alleviating navigation problems, especially if the carefully- selected artwork is memorable. Landscapes can work well; they can initiate memories of past holidays, day trips, or hobbies. Again, they are relatable. We once used an Italian street theme in a corridor only to have a conversation with a lady who lived at the home remarking on how it reminded her of family holidays abroad. This is precisely what we should all be striving to achieve. In this instance, it created a good feeling, reignited a happy memory, and even created a conversation. We use additional design methods such as activity stations to provide strong reminders. It can make those connecting spaces, such as corridors, enjoyable places to
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