Dementia care


Table 1. The HAPPI principles and how they were achieved5 HAPPI principle Generous internal space


Each development provides one and two bedroom apartments, each with a kitchen, en-suite bathroom, lounge and storage areas. The one bedroom apartments are about 63m2 bedroom apartments are about 68m2


and the two . Each apartment has full disability access. All apartments


have three habitable rooms and can accommodate a number of different arrangements. The third habitable room can be used either as a carer’s bedroom, a study or a larger dining room to suit the needs of the individual. A sliding door can be added between the lounge and the second bedroom to allow for this flexibility.


Plenty of natural light


All apartments have generous, full height external glazing to bedrooms as well as lounge areas. The kitchens have glazed windows that face into the main circulation street. Duel aspect has been provided where possible. All circulation spaces are generously proportioned and well glazed, ensuring high levels of natural daylight and the opportunity for natural ventilation. Informal, naturally lit seating areas reduce the effective length of the corridor and provide a connection with the site and wider context from these spaces. Building orientation and sun path analysis during the design stage ensured each development maximised the potential for natural lighting without risk of the apartment overheating.


Balconies and outdoor space; avoiding internal corridors and single aspect accommodation


Adaptability and ‘care aware’ design, which can accommodate emerging telecare and telehealth technologies


Circulation spaces that encourage


All apartments have generous, dedicated external balconies that provide a discreet external space for seating. Level access thresholds and space for turning have been incorporated. Communal gardens and allotments are available.


CAT 6 cabling has been flood wired throughout each development to cater for existing and future assistive technologies. The flexible nature of the system will allow care packages and support to


be readily adapted to suit an individual’s specific care needs, allowing them to continue to live independently. Wireless telecommunication is available throughout.


Main circulation routes are provided where there are soft furnishings, tables and so on, to


interaction and avoid an institutional feel encourage residents to interact. Communal facilities such as a restaurant, library, IT room, gym, shop and hairdresser are also useful amenities that provide a medium for social interaction and promote a community feel. Seating areas and quiet contemplation spaces are also provided along the quieter upper corridors to encourage people to enjoy the space outside their individual apartments. Each has been designed to be dementia friendly, allowing residents to continue to find their way through the development without the need for assistance. Fully glazed linking bridges at Willow Barns provide views over the gardens as well as the wider area, encouraging residents to linger and stay in touch with what’s happening outside.


Shared facilities and community hubs


Each development was designed to take into account the amenities available in the local community. Community spaces are provided within each development to encourage members of the local community to use them for special occasions or community meetings.


Plants, trees and the natural environment A full landscaping strategy was implemented both internally and externally. The site has been designed to consider the form and the layout of the building to create garden areas in the form of ‘outdoor rooms’. Careful consideration has been given to the orientation and aspect of these spaces to ensure they will be sheltered, warm and inviting to actively encourage their use by residents and visitors from the community. These external spaces are designed to encourage outdoor activities and social interaction. They are intended to promote health and wellbeing as well as being visually appealing. Gardening clubs will be established to allow residents to take ownership of these spaces.


High levels of energy efficiency, with good A BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating has been achieved by all three developments, with an EPC rating of B. ventilation to avoid overheating


A number of strategies have been implemented to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. This includes the use of a CHP boiler to provide communal heating and hot water for all residents. Bulk buying and efficiency in use will help reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty. Extensive PV has also been discretely provided, generating electricity for use on site. Each apartment has a dedicated controllable heating system with under floor heating in the bathroom and panel radiators in bedrooms and lounge areas. A centrally controlled mechanical ventilation system is provided to maintain a good standard of air quality throughout all communal areas. The building is also well insulated.


Extra storage


Generous storage has been provided within each apartment. In addition, storage and charging locations for mobility scooters are available on each site with a central safe store area for longer term storage. Dedicated storage for equipment used by care staff has also been provided, preventing communal spaces from becoming unnecessarily cluttered.


Shared external areas that give priority to pedestrians


External courtyards with seating areas are provided, which are surrounded by trees, shrubs


and plants. Pathways have been designed to allow residents to walk within the confines of the site and to wander through the landscape without fear of getting lost. Pedestrian movement has been separated from moving traffic, with the introduction of traffic calming integrated into the landscape design to ensure the safety of residents at all times.


24 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