Design approach for residents with dementia at Heathlands

The design of a new care home is often driven by very real and pressing practical concerns. There are many practical considerations in terms of layouts, facilities to be provided, and deciding on the appearance of the home. With the advantages of access to our own global research, IBI Group opts for a more holistic approach to care home design – beginning the process from ‘salutogenic’ design principles. 

A salutogenic approach is one that focuses on factors that support health and wellbeing beyond a more traditional ‘pathogenic’ focus on risk and problems. Working with clients to inform them of our design ambitions, we create a design that supports the health and wellbeing of residents and staff to solve practical concerns. Applying these principles helps us achieve a design that goes beyond appearances and creates a ‘silently supportive’ environment which delivers care for complex needs and dementia. A holistic process begins with an analysis of the needs of the residents as well as developing initial layouts that follow best practice designs for dementia.

Research by Alzheimer’s Society¹ shows that 70 per cent of people in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems, which means that any design process, including refurbishment, should be based on best practice design principles set by the global authority in designing for dementia, Stirling University Dementia Services Design Centre. Research also shows that many care home residents have complex needs in addition to dementia which can affect their independence and ability to care for themselves. This is often combined with medication and natural deterioration of senses as part of the aging process, resulting in less sensory stimulation and information.