5 Environmental Hints & Tips

“If you get it right for dementia, you get it right for everyone”

1. Signage

• Should be clear and concise and have good contrast between text and background
• There should be contrast between sign and mounting surface
• Should be fixed to the doors they refer to (not adjacent surfaces)
• Signs should be at eye level and visible
• Avoid the use of stylised or abstract images when implementing signage
• Implement signs at key decision points to help with navigation / way finding
• Signs are critical for toilets and exits
• Always have glass doors visibly marked to avoid accidents.

2. Orientation

• Research has shown that people with dementia use landmarks to navigate their way around both inside and outside
• The more attractive and interesting the landmark is, the easier it is to use (plants and pictures are good examples).

3. Lighting

• Entrances should be well lit and easy to access
• Use natural light as much as possible as artificial lights can be dazzling
• Overly bright lights and shadows should be prevented where possible
• Use of brighter primary colours can help to lighten up dark areas.

4. Seating

• In large premises a seating / waiting area can be very beneficial to avoid fatigue
• Seating should resemble traditional seats for example a ‘wooden bench’ or ‘chair’ as apposed to a ‘Z’ new style seat.

5. Flooring / Stairs

• Avoid highly reflective and slippery floor surfaces
• Changes in floor finish should be flush
• Stairs should be contrasting colour to floor in order to show the obstacle clearly
• Avoid using mats/rugs where possible as they may pose an obstacle.

You can download this information to share with others. Let us know how, where and who you shared the 5 environmental hints and tips with.

http://www.alzscot.org/assets/0001/2899/Environmental_Hints___Tips.pdf

We also have a new resource called “Building Motherwell’s Dementia Friendly Community” which you may also find interesting.

Click to access Dementia_Everyone_27s_Business.pdf