INTRODUCTION
Dementia Friendly Design is the place for Dementia Care Professionals, whatever your field. And you might be surprised at the variety of professions that go into making dementia care effective. People quite naturally think about memory care professionals and doctors. However, many other specialties and skills go into creating dementia care that is extraordinary. On a time-line, the design and construction of the building, the physical considerations, are primary. Architects and Designers are a very important part of dementia care.
Designers in DEMENTIA CARE
We are pleasantly surprised by the number of architectural and design firms that use our services. We probably shouldn’t be (surprised, that is); everywhere we look there are new eldercare communities being built and having their grand openings. And, when you think about it, designing extended care communities is the first step in providing quality care for people who have dementia.
3 pillars of extraordinary design for dementia
So many factors go into good design for memory care, but they can be roughly grouped into three overlapping categories:
- Safety – the overriding consideration in any design project
- Provision for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Providing for Quality of Life through engagement and stimulation
*If you are new to design for dementia care or are exploring career paths, we recommend, e.g., A guide to senior living facilities architecture design.
Design for Dementia Care
In many ways elder care design and designing for Memory Care is the same as designing any other living space, but there are some pronounced differences as well. Depending on the cause, dementia can affect perception and physical abilities as well as memory and other cognitive functioning. Problems with perception is not the same as poor vision. Perceptual problems involve the way the brain interprets what the eye sees. A dark floor tile can be perceived as a hole in the ground to be avoided at all costs. The act of avoidance can then become a safety issue itself if it precipitates a fall.
Read more» about how dementia can affect perception and how design can overcome some of the limitations that result from that..
We have written before about some of the considerations that go into making a living environment safer. See, for example, our post Alzheimer’s Safety. Here we consider, among other things, how physical and perceptual limitations need to influence design considerations. Color and contrast, for example, become more than simply aesthetic but are essential for safety when inhabitants’ perception is compromised by their condition. So that a wall isn’t mistaken for an extension of the floor, horizontal and vertical colors should contrast significantly. It is necessary to provide lighting, natural and artificial, that thoroughly lights an area without glare.
Pictured here is a family room designed and decorated in a modern motif. Very bright, very clean; a good example of terrible design choices for anyone whose visual perception is compromised by Alzheimer’s disease or any cognitive condition. It is difficult to tell where the floor stops and the wall starts. Is that a couch, or just a pattern on the otherwise pattern less floor? And the white mesh seats on the two chairs might not be seen against the same-color floor.
Maybe not as pretty, but the room pictured to the left is much more suitable for anyone living here who has dementia. The wall color contrasts well with the floor – hard to mistake where the one ends and the other begins. There is generally less clutter, less noise. On the other hand, even though the couch contrasts nicely with the wall, it is very similar in color and shade to the floor. And the cabinet almost blends into the wall. Little things can make a huge difference.
Rugs always need to be a consideration as the pose a potential tripping hazard. This one is thin, but it does have a slight fringe. Unless someone has severe mobility issues it is probably ok.
Back to the three pillars: In all of healthcare, and especially in dementia care, safety is of primary importance, followed by providing for those everyday routines we know as Activities of Daily Living. But, you understand designing for safety and health, so let’s move on to the fun part.
Architects and Designers in Dementia Care – Beyond Safety
Eldercare design is, in many ways, different from other design projects. Design for dementia care adds even more variables. What can you as a designer add to a care environment that makes it safe, interesting and engaging to residents? The layout and the décor that you include in your design becomes a part of an overall therapy regimen.
A beautiful or otherwise interesting picture or painting on the wall brightens any room. A piece of art that can be touched, listened to, or that provides some other form of sensory feedback becomes what we like to call dementia therapy without drugs. Medicine is an important part of any healthcare continuum, but as designers you are not concerned with that aspect of dementia care, and neither are we. The foundation of our treatment recommendations are stimulation, engagement, and recreation.
Most of the products available from BAP contribute to one or more of these pillars. Any of them can be easily added to an overall design concept. Not only do they, and your design, become part of an overall treatment program for all residents, but community sales staff love them. Who wouldn’t rather entrust their loved one to a community that takes such care in providing a stimulating environment than one that is, by contrast, antiseptic and cold?
We know from countless studies that such stimulation improves memory, cognitive functioning, and quality of life.
Designing dementia care facilities requires a careful balance of safety, comfort, and stimulation. By focusing on the unique needs of dementia patients, designers can create environments that enhance the quality of life, support cognitive function, and promote well-being. Good design practices involve creating spaces that are safe, easy to navigate, and home-like, with plenty of opportunities for social interaction and sensory engagement. As our understanding of dementia grows, so too will the design strategies that support the health and happiness of those living with this challenging condition.
One marvelous example of value added design
A nursery is a useful and beneficial addition to any Memory Care unit, and more and more we are equipping and providing ideas for these rooms. Doll therapy is one of our favorite non-drug therapies for people with dementia, and a nursery is an ideal way to make this therapy available. Many people wander, often in the middle of the night. Rather than meandering aimlessly about the halls, or looking for a way out, these ramblers can “rock a baby to sleep” , and will hopefully then be ready for sleep themselves. We have some very realistic therapy dolls at an affordable price to render the nursery complete.
Conclusion
Design for dementia care requires a deep understanding of both the medical and emotional needs of individuals with dementia. Architects and designers play a crucial role in shaping environments that promote safety, comfort, and engagement. By incorporating evidence-based design principles, leveraging technology, and prioritizing human-centered solutions, professionals can create spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents and support caregivers in their mission to provide compassionate care. Thoughtful memory care design goes beyond aesthetics—it fosters dignity, familiarity, and a true sense of home for those who need it most.
Read more about good design for Alzheimer’s patients
We have not gone into too much detail about the specifics of good design for dementia care. Explore our website to learn more. We also recommend sites like this one for more.