Dementia care
with dementia, all signs include text alongside a pictorial representation of the area. See Figure 2.
Lighting
Lighting is crucial to creating a suitable environment for people with dementia. As previously stated, eyesight naturally deteriorates with age and this is further exacerbated by the symptoms of the condition. The older eye absorbs less light than it does in a younger person and an 85 year old needs 3.5 times more light than a person of 30 years old to see well. With this in mind, a rigorous lighting scheme has been designed for Worthington Lake in accordance with the recommended lux and lumen levels for each area dependent on use. Natural light is preferred and also provides health benefits such as regulating the circadian rhythm. For this reason, Worthington Lake has been designed to maximise the amount of natural light that enters the home through glazing and access to secure outdoor areas. Large floor to ceiling windows are present in dining areas, lounges and at the end of corridors to let in as much daylight as possible. In addition to the high level of natural light at Worthington Lake, a meticulous
artificial lighting scheme has been included throughout. This takes into account the appropriate lux levels needed for a person with dementia to be able to see well. For example, a higher lux level is needed over kitchen counters than in bedroom areas. This enables residents to carry out daily tasks independently, thus increasing their sense of purpose and improving quality of life.
Meaningful activity
While a full and varied activity programme is highly beneficial in engaging residents and creating enjoyable experiences, those who have dementia in particular often report feeling confused by some activities and as if they ought to be doing something. For many people domestic chores were an important part of home life, which includes tasks such as doing the laundry and preparing and cooking meals. Therefore, a fully functional kitchenette has been included in each dining room to encourage residents to participate in these tasks if they wish to do so. For example, putting on a load of washing can offer a sense of comfort and familiarity to a person with dementia and encourage them to feel at home, while loading the machine and hanging the washing out to dry provides gentle physical exercise.
Neda Ehtemam
Neda Ehtemam has advised Millennium Care extensively on innovative approaches to an enabling environment for seniors living with memory and cognitive impairment. She has been involved extensively in the design of Worthington Lake Care Home. Taking from her experience of studying from and working alongside leading academics and evidence based research in the sector, Neda has been involved in informing the strategic intent and purpose behind the philosophy of the built environment.
TCHE
LET LOOSE
SAFELY WITH WEARABLE NURSE CALL
No matter where the action takes place, you’ll know if there’s a call or a fall
WANT TO TRY? CALL 0800 068 7419 Find out more at
www.c-t.co.uk 22
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • January 2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
