INCLUSIVE COLOUR (CONT) . DEMENTIA
Short termmemory loss is one of the early signs of Dementia. Forgetting where everyday items are kept or which is the right front door can be a common occurrance for people living with Dementia. Glass fronted cupboards and drawers can help everyday items be located.
Textures and patterns can be stimulating and create interest in an interior but they can also be overwhelming. Familiar patterns are reassuring but in unfamiliar surroundings some designs can cause confusion.
Mirrored doors can reflect and distort an interior causing confusion.
Gloss, shiny finishes such as metal, PVC and acrylic are seen as wet and regarded as cool, modern and sometimes clinical.
Pictorial signs can emphasise the function of a room. Keep walls free of visual clutter, remove any signs and notices that are not relevant or have expired from the walls as these can distract from important wayfinding markers. Toxic chemicals and poisonous materials should be kept in a locked cupboard, that is hidden or disguised by being painted the same colour as the walls.
Strong geometric patterns can distort space and should be avoided, while patterns with flecks or small motifs can bemisinterpreted for bits of fluff. Wall prints and designs can add a point of reference for wayfinding but realistic digital wall prints ie of a pathway leading to a forest may cause confusion. Peoplemay think the print is real and walk into it.
Hallucinations is a symptomof Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Animals and objects are imagined when there is nothing there, and some patterns can elevate hallucinations. Textures such as velvet, wool, linen and cotton are seen as ‘dry’ and therefore warming. Rich textures and self-coloured prints are effective in adding interest into a room, without causing discomfort and can help create a homely space.
Some care homes allow residents to personalise front doors. This can involve choosing their own door colour, and having a shelf with personalised items next to the front door to help strengthen recognition. Toilet doors should be clearly visible. Some theories suggest brightly coloured doors are efficient where other theories argue bright colours can be brash and unaesthetic. The alternative is to paint the doors in a colour that contrasts with the surroundings but is less child like.
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