Designing for Care is challenging and rewarding. It takes great levels of creativity to design schemes to promote independence, enhance moods and keep within tight budgets all under high regulation. However, once the work is completed, the noticeable improvements to environments and the lives of all those associated with it is realised and the rewards are priceless.
I am Preet Anand, an Interior Designer who is passionate in creating schemes for a variety of sensory needs and physical needs. Having trained in Dementia & Design, I have an interest in helping my clients explore creative ways to make their homes function for the service users to maximise their independence and overall improve staff efficiency by allowing them to focus on more social and personal care duties.
Dementia is a hot topic, with two thirds of the care home residence in the UK having cognitive impairments1, it is crucial to understand as a society how clever design can improve the lives of those suffering. Dementia, is a progressive disease of the brain which inflicts symptoms of memory loss, mood change and communication issues.
Designing for Dementia can become quite complex but some basic elements such as reinforcing personal identity in spaces which are none communal, ensuring rooms have a clear function and visual impairments are considered at every aspect will help form the basis on creating suitable environments.
Bedrooms, as in domestic houses are spaces of privacy and relaxation. For those suffering with memory loss and a sense of disorientation it is important to include as many personal items and memory triggers as possible in this space. Many specialist homes have adapted the front door approach to their corridors, distinguishing the doors differently from communal zones allowing residents to recognise they are entering a new space, or what some may feel a new building they can associate as home. Memory boxes, pictures of loved ones and sentimental items all contribute to a feeling of home and security.
It is very often, that people with dementia become over stimulated with noises, objects, people and things not associated with tasks at hand. Take a dining room for an example, consider removing all things not required in the same which can distract and confuse. This space is for eating, and designing the room to appropriately communicate this without verbal cues is important at promoting independence for residents, and help them avoid relying on staff for support in wayfinding.
Visual impairment becomes notifiable with many people over the age of 70, and careful selection and consideration for LRV values in flooring, seating and interior hardware will again enable residence to distinguish and judge the space around them. It can be something as simple as changing the flooring from room to room, if there an alter in pattern or tone this can be perceived very differently by someone with limited vision and can result in unnecessary stress, anxiety or confidence to transition independently.
Design in Care, should not only aid the disabilities of service users but when considered carefully it will promote their abilities too and give them access to feel empowered, confident and in control where they can.
