Designing for Dementia and Alzheimer’s (Part 2) Posted: Oct 2018 Posted by: Mats Inc.

Making Space for Memory Care

As mentioned in part one of our series on Designing for Dementia and Alzheimer’s, aging-related dementia affects a growing segment of the population: nearly 44 million people worldwide and counting. Effective, modern, safe healthcare buildings will benefit from implementing dementia-friendly best design practices. Considering the many effects of Alzheimer’s – such as decreased physical strength, hearing loss and vision degeneration – healthcare teams need to account for the unique needs of these patients – as well as their loved ones and caregivers.

People, Patient & Family-Friendly Environments

A baseline strategy to improve safety includes implementing Universal Design principles that ensure inclusivity for all people, in all phases of care, from emergency room waiting areas to senior living facilities. Accessible, flexible, easy-to-use interior finishes and furnishings like handrails, slip-resistant flooring and low-to-the-ground beds help prevent accidents that could worsen a patient’s condition.

Stowing medical equipment out of sight and leaving room for patients to display family photos or familiar furnishings can help patients feel more at home.

 Help Patients Take Good Care

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, supporting overall health and well-being is key to keeping patients comfortable. Healthcare settings that support healthy nutrition and hydration – facilities that encourage patients to eat and drink via calming lighting, comfortable furniture and easy-to-use tableware – helps otherwise disoriented or agitated patients feel more at ease allowing them to tend to their own basic needs.

 The Right Path: Support Orientation & Navigation

Behavioral symptoms often associated with cognitive impairment include mood changes and aimless wandering. Creating more intuitive layouts can help with disorientation that may even be encountered by patients and visitors without mental disorders. Building in distinctive visual cues and recognizable landmarks like artwork and signage helps prevent unnecessary confusion, reducing staff assistance with wayfinding. Demarcating doors and crossroads with clearly legible directives can go a long way to keeping patients on track.

Including secure outdoor areas for seniors to access can add to their sense of calm and well-being, in addition to contributing to their physical fitness and sense of freedom.

Simplicity = Safety

Dementia-friendly environments balance sensory stimulation to minimize overstimulation and agitation. Busy, cavernous spaces can worsen already confusing circumstances while more intimate surroundings with controlled noise levels make for more favorable healing environments.

Providing adequate amenities to support the specific needs of persons with mental deterioration will be key to the spaces created to care for this growing segment of the population.

Our third and final post on Designing for Dementia will include more specific ways to incorporate dementia-friendly design elements.

Categories: Healthcare Flooring