INTERIOR DESIGN


Dementia Studies. She told hdm: “I saw one example where there was a mural of a traditional, life-size telephone box. But you could see a tear around the handle where obviously someone had been trying to open it. “In another home you come round a bend in the corridor and there’s a scene on the wall looking down into a valley and the handrail on the wall in front of the image makes it look like you are on a balcony. It can be terribly confusing and very frightening.”


An effective arts installation will help carers and family members to engage with the person, like this example at Oakwood Dementia Ward, Prospect Park Hospital. Courtesy of Linda Schwab/Clint Randall


non-reflective • Images should be placed at a height where they can be


clearly seen • There should be an option to remove or cover images if


they pose problems for particular people She said: “There are some really-good things about large


artworks, but you have to think very, very carefully. “People with experience need to be part of the decision- making process when choosing artworks as some may not be suitable for a particular environment, for example in care homes sometimes staff feel they have to display donated pictures when they are not suitable for dementia care environments.”


STAYING NEUTRAL Like Willis, Waller and Mitchell favour images of nature and local scenes people with dementia will be familiar with. She adds: “We know access to nature is essential for feelings


of wellbeing. But we must be careful, particularly in communal settings. Not everyone will like what you choose, so something neutral makes common sense, even if others might think it is boring.” Overall, when designing arts programmes for dementia


care environments, Willis recommends: “Think about creating artworks that appeal to the senses – that have colour, including strong tonal difference, and that include different textures. And, ideally, include artworks that can be touched and stroked as this sensory stimulation appears to be particularly soothing to people with dementia. “They should also support carers and visitors, enabling them


to start conversations.” www.willisnewson.co.uk


But they are not discounting artworks completely, believing that they have a positive role to play in making environments dementia-friendly. Jane Willis, director of Willis Newson arts consultancy, has been involved in a number of dementia-friendly arts projects. She said: “Recreating pseudo-realistic scenes that attempt to look real, but are not real, can be very confusing and disorientating for people living with dementia.


FINDING YOUR WAY “However, artwork used sensitively can be reassuring, helping


to create a welcoming and homely environment. It can also be used to support navigation and wayfinding. “Artworks that prompt people to take notice of the present moment – the vibrancy of colours, the feel of soft wool, the movement of leaves on the trees outside, the feel of the sun – will help anchor, calm and reassure.” Waller’s top tips include: • All images should be framed so they are clearly identifiable


as artworks and the frame should be of a contrasting colour to the picture and/or the surface on which it is placed • If using glass or Perspex in frames, ensure the surface is


22 mhdf magazine


Dementia-friendly artwork should be tactile as sensory stimulation can be soothing to people with dementia. Image taken from BrunelCare Bristol. Images Max McClure/Willis Newson


Image courtesy of The Kings Fund


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