Residents of care homes and people suffering from dementia can have their lives made a great deal easier if the staff takes the time to cultivate an atmosphere of compassion.
After all, one of the responsibilities of those providing care for the elderly is to design an atmosphere that is suitable for them and suited to their requirements. Dementia patients can have a much better quality of life if the environment they live in is designed with the appropriate colour scheme and layout. The following is some information that will help you design your nursing home in a way that will accommodate residents who suffer from dementia.
Colour
People can be affected in two different ways by colour: physically and emotionally. People may become more sociable as a result of it, they may eat more as a result of it, and it may even assist people in finding their way around. The use of vibrant colours is a significant factor in creating an inviting and invigorating atmosphere.
Because of changes that occur in the eye lens as we get older, we may experience a decline in our vision. People who have dementia frequently struggle with vision issues that are associated with dementia. The following are examples of some of these issues:
perception of depth that is impaired
perception of colours altered in some way
Spatial disorientation diminished
capacity to distinguish between contrasts
It is recommended by the Alzheimer’s Society that you minimize busy patterns on walls and commercial flooring and try to reduce any changes in floor patterns or surfaces. The person with Alzheimer’s disease may perceive such changes as an obstacle or barrier.
In the document titled “Sight, perception, and hallucinations in dementia factsheet,” one of the recommendations states that making purposeful use of colours can be a big help.
cataracts, macular degeneration, colour blindness, and glaucoma are all eye conditions that may coexist with dementia in a patient. Some of the most serious adverse effects include a blurring of vision as well as a loss of peripheral vision.
When choosing colours, there are a few things you should keep in mind, including the following:
Colour facilitates people’s emotional responses to events that have occurred in the past
It has the potential to both increase and decreases one’s visibility
It may be possible to improve navigation, mobility, and independent living by utilizing colour contrast in conjunction with adequate lighting
It can be difficult to focus when there are too many colours present
Yellow, and other bright colours, such as orange, are easy to spot
Because individuals have different tastes in colour, private spaces must be personalized
Compare and contrast
It has been suggested that older people require approximately three times the amount of contrast that is necessary for younger people to locate objects. It is recommended that you combine light colours with darker colours. The most striking contrasts are created by the colours red and blue.
The use of colour to conceal an object is another method of camouflage. Dementia patients may not notice things that are in the background if they are painted in colours that are the same as those in the foreground.
illumination
When we reach the age of 75, our ability to perceive light begins to diminish, and as a result, we may require approximately twice as much light as the typical person. During the day, daylight offers the highest possible quality of light. When it gets dark, you should try to use lights that have a more “domestic” feel to them. Using lampshades rather than harsh spotlights can make your space appear larger, and it will also make it much more relaxing for guests to be there.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, caregivers should make an effort to improve the lighting levels throughout the home. Society explains that this can help reduce visual difficulties and contribute to the prevention of falls.
According to the findings of their research, some dementia patients avoid going near dark areas in corridors and rooms, so they recommend that the lighting throughout the home be evenly distributed and that shadows be reduced as much as possible
Carpet
Because of the significant strides that have been made in the field of infection control and stain-resistance carpet flooring, you should consider installing this type of flooring in most of the areas of your care home. The fact that this kind of carpeting is inviting and helps to produce an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a home is one of the major advantages it offers. A good grip for walking and a gentler landing spot if you do happen to take a tumble are two additional benefits. This type of flooring will also be accessible for people using wheelchairs.
