Design
be and spend time in. Pictured below are flower posies in a
frame. This is classed as a 3D artwork. It is tactile, inviting, and meant to be handled, and above all else it is memorable. Finding joy in little things like picking
up a flower from the display can lead to discovering a long lost memory. It is all about the senses and enabling an individual to recall, remember, and feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings. Something as simple as this can act as a cue to a person establishing where they are, enabling them to independently navigate themselves to where they want to be.
Top tips Use artwork to create spaces that are recognisable without being over- stimulating. Gentle encouragement is all that needed to start a wayfinding journey. Here are some artwork tips to help you help those you support and care for live with ease and comfort.
Make it homely People with dementia want to be in an environment that is as normal to them as possible. Select artwork that is relatable and easily processed. Everyday objects, activities, scenes, and representations of life help to provide reassurance. Use artwork to subtly reflect the purpose of a room. You do not need pictures of cutlery and crockery to identify a dining room, but relatable images connected to food and drink will provide the ideal connection for someone unsure of where they were. Artwork has to look the same in black and white as it does in colour As we age, we will experience changes in
how we see things. Our vision deteriorates and so does colour perception. Tonally correct artwork will still be enjoyed even if the colours cannot be seen – it still has distinction and can be understood and appreciated for the picture it is by someone with a visual impairment or loss of perception.
Never use mirrors
Stress and anxiety can be common in people living with dementia, especially if they are living in an environment that hinders rather than enables. Avoid any anxiety triggers such as mirrors, as these can be confusing and create a lot of anxiety. We have seen this first-hand, with a carer paying a compliment, saying: “You look really lovely today” then turning back to look in the mirror together, only for the response from the person living with dementia to be: “Which one am I?”
Think about the bigger picture A care home is an adult space full of lived experience and memories. Being mindful of those past lives in artwork can be a really helpful tool in creating comforting and familiar surroundings. For example, depicting mining references in a what was once a mining town will not necessarily be relevant to the people who live there – unless, of course, they were miners, or part of a mining family. It can certainly be a topic of interest; however, avoid the ‘art gallery’ theme. You would not have that in your own home. Images of a mining pony, or maybe even a coal shovel, may have a broader appeal and encourage a reference to the past that everyone could relate to in a non-mining context.
Upton Mill Care Home – flowers picture
Use artwork to create spaces that are recognisable without being over-stimulating
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Make bedrooms personal Bedrooms are a personal space and should be seen as such. This is always a place we never add generic artwork, instead encouraging the placement of personal objects. There are many benefits to having a personal space a person can call their own. A place where an individual can connect to their personal memories and their own identity is essential. Whether it is family photographs or ornaments, these are reminders and visual cues that can provide a sense of ease and comfort, and, for some, can create a personal sanctuary and connection to their past.
The most important thing to remember is that this environment is still a domestic home for those that live there. It is not a hotel – be mindful of that fact and think
about how the space can still represent a domestic setting through the use of artwork. Take care not to create anxiety, and instead concentrate on positive emotions and feelings that can create a reassuringly warm, friendly, and homely space. Remember that choosing artwork for a dementia environment should be about respecting how people have lived their lives and what they need now in order to continue to do so in comfort. Never make the environment childish – dignity in design choices is key. After all, it is still an adult space.
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Reference 1 Design for Dementia by Gregor Timlin and Nic Rysenbry;
https://www.rca.ac.uk/research- innovation/research-centres/helen-hamlyn- centre/research-projects/2010-projects/ design-dementia/
Kerry Southern-Reason
Managing Director Kerry Southern- Reason FCA chose to specialise in residential care home interior design after many years of working with high-end private clients, show homes, hotel interiors, and TV programs such as 60-Minute Makeover and Britain’s Ugliest Rooms. Her change in focus was driven by her genuine desire to make a difference to residents’ lives; after living in a hospice for 15 weeks with her mother who was terminally ill, she realised how important interiors are to those with less freedom. Over the years, Kerry has become a
pioneer in dementia interior design. In 2020 and 2022, she helped her clients secure a Pinders Healthcare Design Award in the Dementia Design and Best Interior Design categories. Using first-hand experience coupled with best practice dementia advice, Kerry strives to create a comfortable environment for those living with dementia.
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2022
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