DESIGN FOR
DEMENTIA

Applying dementia design principles can make a real difference in improving the quality of life for thousands of residents in care settings living with dementia. At danfloor, we keep abreast of the recommendations when it comes to colour and design and have created a selection of carpets, which have been approved by Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre as suitable for use within healthcare facilities accommodating those with dementia.

Dementia is the term used to describe several conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Dementia predominately affects the memory, but it also impacts sight, hearing, visuospatial understanding, tonal differentiation, wayfinding and hallucinations. This is why the built environment can have a profound effect on how someone perceives, navigates and engages with people and the places they live and visit.

DEMENTIA
DESIGN
PRINCIPALS

ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER

Dementia isn’t a normal part of ageing and when it accompanies age-related impairments like sight loss, hearing difficulties and mobility issues the inability to remember that one has a sensory problem or impairment compounds the feeling of confusion and often leads to feelings of stress and isolation.

Dementia design principals work around many elements including:

Supporting the individual’s needs
Maximising independence
Enhancing self-esteem and confidence
Orientation
Reinforcing personal identity
Allowing control of stimuli

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STIRLING
UNIVERSITY

THE DSDC

Stirling University’s Dementia Design Audit Tool is an intentionally recognised benchmark for dementia design excellence within the built environment. The Tool forms part of a suite of materials produced by the most recent research in the field of dementia design.

The expert knowledge provided by the DSDC’s Tool is informed by substantial international consensus, research on specific design features and the expertise of people within the field. Much of the advice and guidance relates to compensating for the sensory and cognitive impairments and presents products and guidance to assist building designs.

A number of danfloor’s products have been assessed by the DSDC and have been approved for use within dementia inclusive environments due to their colour, design and technical features which means that they not only enhance the built environment but aid with navigation.

CREATING THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENTS

ACOUSTICS

Within healthcare facilities, corridors and communal areas can be very busy places at all times of day and night. The presence of carpet in such areas helps to absorb unwanted sound and reduce sound reverberation time. This is very important for people with difficulty hearing and for those with dementia as it makes it easier to filter out unwanted noises and therefore reduces stress and confusion.

LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUES

Considered use of colour can significantly improve a visually impaired person’s way-finding ability. It can create pathways, identify obstacles and define volume and space helping to make the physical environment safer and easier to use. The majority of danfloor carpets have been tested for their LRV value to make the design process easier and to benefit the residents of healthcare facilities and those that are dementia enabling.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Throughout the last 10 years, there have been numerous studies into the use of carpet versus hard floor surfaces and what effect these two flooring solutions have on air quality. Fine dust can present a significant health hazard, especially for allergy sufferers, as particles may irritate when they are breathed in and enter the respiratory tract. Many studies suggest that carpet retains dust particles, unlike hard surfaces where they regularly become air born. If carpets are regularly vacuumed the particles, and allergens that are bound within the carpet fibres, are removed from the room without causing discomfort.

TRIPS AND FALLS

Studies have shown that carpet when compared with vinyl, can reduce injuries caused by trips and falls. It has also been proven that gait speed and step length is greater in older people walking on carpeted areas than when walking on vinyl.

DOWNLOAD GUIDES

Design for Dementia

Insight into the benefits that carpet can bring to a dementia inclusive interior scheme

Light Reflectance Value Guide

Find out the importance of LRV's and the values linked to our products

The benefit of carpet versus hard flooring

Understand the benefits carpet provide over hard flooring alternatives

VIEW DEMENTIA INCLUSIVE CARPETS

EQUINOX TONES

The subtle designs and vibrant colours of Equinox Tones assists in the creation of a modern interior design scheme.

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EQUINOX EVOLVE

An elegant addition to the Equinox Collection that offers presence and durability.

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EQUINOX

The Equinox range offers a modern carpet that is subtle in design and vibrant in colour.

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ECONOMIX

Made from Aquafil's ECONYL® yarn, ECONOMIX is a solution dyed, cut pile nylon range that offers the ultimate in performance and is certified as class 33 heavy-commercial use.

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