Dementia care
Figure 1. This mood board highlights how the correct contrast levels were achieved, while maintaining a homely and non-institutional environment
advised that the colour of seating contrasts with that of the floor by at least 30 per cent, which enables people with dementia to clearly see the outline of a chair and helps reduce falls.
This principle has also been employed to disguise contrast where appropriate, such as on floors where it creates a single tone and avoids a step effect, thereby encouraging residents to move around with confidence and again reducing trips and falls. A key priority in the design of Worthington Lake was to ensure that the correct tonal contrast was achieved in each area in addition to creating a homely environment.
Figure 2. All signs include text alongside a pictorial representation of the area
Figure 1 shows the first floor dining room and highlights how the correct contrast levels were achieved throughout while maintaining a homely and non- institutional feel. The dark flooring contrasts with the seating and tables to help reduce the number of spills and the potential for falls. Furthermore, the panelling in the room is painted in a contrasting colour, which helps those with visuospatial impairments to understand the space. Patterned fabrics have been kept to a minimum to reduce hallucinatory effects, which are common in people with certain types of dementia. The patterns used are also in low contrasting tones.
Way finding
From the initial design of Worthington Lake, consideration has been given to creating an environment that is legible to people with dementia. The home has two floors, each of which has an open plan central ‘hub’ area that encompasses a lounge, a dining room, a kitchenette and an activities room.
The building has been designed so that residents are intuitively drawn down the short corridors to the communal area and visual access has been enhanced with the intention of reducing confusion, allowing each resident to see each space and understand its intended purpose. From this area, about 50 per cent of the building can be viewed, which encourages independent decision-making and reduces confusion. The open plan design also enables staff to observe residents unobtrusively from the nurse’s station; this reduces the need to follow them as they move around the home, which can lead to frustration, anxiety and aggression. While the open plan design of Worthington Lake reduces the need for extensive signage, an enabling signage strategy and strategically placed ‘mapping’ items have been added to improve way finding and the ability to navigate independently around the home. In accordance with research into the most effective signage for people
January 2019 •
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