Fabric Design for Dementia Patients
When designing for people with dementia, it’s essential to balance style and a sense of wellbeing with the need to avoid over-stimulance. Designing for dementia care presents important considerations which often provoke an overly conservative approach to choices in colour and design. Over cautious or unimaginative design may not produce the most therapeutic or nurturing environments for the individual.
Under-stimulation can be as detrimental as over-stimulation. To offer guidance and advice on fabric selections to our clients, we sought assistance from the Dementia Services Development Centre at Stirling University and we were delighted to establish guidelines with them on the use of fabrics in dementia care.
Guidelines of Features to Consider
The normal ageing process produces sensory losses such as visual impairment. This is of particular concern for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias as they may not be able to understand why and therefore be unable to compensate for it. Good design helps them cope with this loss.
The elderly gradually lose the ability to discriminate between colours and this is exaggerated with dementia, so the use of contrasting colours within design is vital. Contrast seating with carpets, bedspreads and flooring, door handles from doors, light switches from walls, etc. Pale colours together (or a mass of dark shades) are difficult to discern by the visually impaired.
Look to add texture and semi-plains to create interest and, most importantly, select fabrics for seating which clearly contrast in colour and shade with carpet colours to ensure that seating is clearly visible.
Key Considerations When Designing for People with Dementia
Light
Lighting is paramount, particularly daylight which is natural and diffuses easily. Ensure that drapes are designed not to overlap the actual window and can be pulled right back to allow as much light in as possible.
Define edges
Simple things like contrasting piping on the edge of seating, on bedspreads at the edge of the bed or on the edge of draperies where they are pulled to and drawn back, all assist in making life easier and less troublesome.
Design
Alzheimer’s and other dementias can significantly change how people interpret what they see. Boldly defined stripes or designs with a vertical bias may be interpreted as bars or grills.
Movement
Swirling or sinuous patterns may cause some queasiness, especially if the person is taking anti-psychotic medication.
Age/generation appropriateness
Although often colourful and detailed, retro patterns of the 50’s and 60’s may be appreciated by the elderly.
Small geometrics or flecks
These can look like something has been spilt or needing to be swept up or picked off.
Flowers/leaves
Patterns of flowers and leaves which are to any extent realistic are not helpful because they may be mistaken for the real thing. Abstract or stylised designs of organic items generally work better.
Stirling Dementia Centre
Stirling Dementia Centre and Panaz worked together to look at how pattern and colour are used to enhance a care environment and enable a person living with dementia to remain independent longer.
Speak to an Expert
If you could do with some advice in wanting to design for dementia patients, get in touch with us today or fill in the form below. No matter your requirements, we’ll do everything we can to assist.
