Interior Design for Ageing in Place

Supporting Individuals with Dementia

Ageing in place is becoming increasingly popular as older Australians seek to stay in their homes and maintain independence. However, for those living with dementia, the design of the home environment plays a crucial role in supporting safety, comfort, and quality of life. Thoughtful interior design can help reduce confusion, minimise anxiety, and foster a sense of security, enabling individuals with dementia to age in place comfortably.?

It's estimated that around 65% of those living with dementia are currently living within the community and all reports say this is only set to increase.

TKBB spoke to Daniel Jameson from The Dementia Centre, which is part of Hammond Care, to explore the principles of dementia-friendly design and best practices for creating supportive living environments in Australia. He says that, with our ageing population and limited expected increase in aged care places, we will need more homes designed to cater for physical, cognitive and sensory impediments. “And dementia encompasses an element of all these three areas,” he adds. “Which makes it a unique situation and our goal is to help those living with dementia to remain enabled by supporting the knowledge base and response of those designing homes and interior environments”.

Understanding Dementia and Its Impact on Living Spaces

Dementia affects memory, cognitive function, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. It can also impact spatial awareness and increase the risk of accidents. As dementia progresses, familiar environments can become confusing, leading to feelings of frustration and agitation. Designing spaces that are simple, safe, and intuitive can help alleviate these challenges.

Key Principles of Dementia-Friendly Design

Designing for individuals with dementia involves creating environments that are easy to navigate, reduce stress, and enhance independence. Key principles include:

Familiarity: Maintaining familiar elements helps reduce confusion and anxiety.

Safety: Minimising hazards and supporting mobility is essential for preventing falls and accidents.

Clarity: Simple layouts and clear visual cues aid in orientation and navigation.

Comfort: Creating calming and soothing spaces can help manage agitation and stress.

“Having everything hidden away might look nice but it’s not ideal for dementia living,” explains Daniel. “Think about including open shelving or glass cupboards for items that are used or accessed regularly so they can be seen easily”.

Best Practices for Dementia-Friendly Interior Design

Simple and Intuitive Layouts

The layout of a home should be clear and easy to navigate. Open-plan living spaces with minimal barriers allow for easy movement and help individuals with dementia maintain a sense of orientation. Rooms should be organised logically, with furniture and items placed in predictable locations to reinforce familiarity and with plenty of circulation space.

Consider:

- Wide, uncluttered walkways to accommodate mobility aids.

- Visible sightlines between different areas to reduce confusion.

- Minimising visual clutter by keeping spaces organised and tidy.

“Those living with dementia can be overwhelmed by too much choice,” explains Daniel. “Therefore, clutter in a room can impair that person’s ability to locate and use items that they are wanting to use.”

Clear Visual Cues and Signage

Visual cues play a significant role in helping people with dementia navigate their environment. Using contrasting colours for walls, floors, and furniture can make it easier to distinguish different areas and objects. For example, a dark-coloured floor can help define a space, while contrasting doorframes or handles make doors easier to identify.

Consider:

- Provide space for frequently-used items in the kitchen to be stored in cupboards with glazed-glass doors or on open shelves.

- Achieving a 30% LRV contrast to define the space and make fixtures more easily seen. The toilet pan and the cistern against the wall and floor for example.

“We really need to think about how we use contrast in interior spaces,” says Daniel. “A typical white-on-white kitchen doesn’t facilitate an understanding of the environment or help with drawing boundaries. Think about creating contrast even within cupboards to help with visual location, and consider how you will highlight different fixtures and fittings – maybe a door handle – to help make them easy to see and recognise”.

Lighting and Ambiance

Good lighting is essential for individuals with dementia, as poor lighting can increase confusion and the risk of falls. Maximise natural light where possible, and ensure that artificial lighting is evenly distributed throughout the home. Dimmable lights allow for adjustments based on the time of day, creating a calming atmosphere during the evening.

“As a rule, you’ll want to double the lighting that’s normally specified,” explains Daniel. “Think about surfaces that create an even light (so, avoid gloss cabinetry, for example) and avoid strong patterns for benchtops or flooring as these can be easily misinterpreted”.

Consider:

- Motion-sensor lighting to guide individuals through the home, particularly at night.

- Installing brighter task lighting in areas like the kitchen and bathroom.

- Avoiding harsh lighting or shadows, which can cause confusion or discomfort.

“A key area for bathroom design is to ensure the pan can be seen from the bedhead,” says Daniel. “A sensor light in the bathroom is a great addition but it’s better to have a pencil light overhead that helps the resident see and locate the toilet easily overnight”.

Safe and Accessible Design Features

Safety is a top priority when designing homes for individuals with dementia. Common risks, such as slips and falls, can be mitigated through smart design choices. Flooring should be non-slip and even to avoid trip hazards. In bathrooms, grab bars, walk-in showers, and non-slip mats provide added security.

Consider:

- Installing grab bars and railings in key areas like hallways, bathrooms, and stairs.

- Using non-slip flooring in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce the risk of falls.

- Removing or securing rugs, cords, and other objects that could pose a tripping hazard.

“Mirrors can sometimes be a trigger for those with dementia as they don’t recognise their reflection,” explains Daniel. “And remember that sometimes items below the waist/thigh may not be seen clearly so be careful with your choice of items such as coffee tables or other trip hazards”.?

Familiarity and Personalisation

Maintaining a familiar environment can help people with dementia feel more comfortable and secure. Keeping cherished personal items, such as family photographs, favourite furniture, or other sentimental objects, visible and accessible can provide a sense of continuity.?

Consider:

- Decorating with familiar items that evoke positive memories.

- Displaying personal photographs or memorabilia in areas frequently used by the person.

- Avoiding drastic changes to the home’s layout or décor, as this can cause disorientation.

“It’s important that the items included make sense where they are and are as intuitive as possible,” adds Daniel. “A sensor tap might be great from a mobility perspective but they may not easily recognise the operational aspect of the fixture. People with dementia can learn new information but it’s harder to retain this as they progress”.

Calming Colours and Textures

Colours and textures play a significant role in creating a soothing environment for individuals with dementia. Soft, muted colours such as pastels or earth tones are often more calming than bright, bold hues, which can be overstimulating when used in abundance.?

Consider:

- Using calming colours for walls and furniture.

- Incorporating natural textures such as wood and soft fabrics to create a welcoming atmosphere.

- Avoiding bold patterns or shiny surfaces, as these can cause visual confusion.

Designing for aging in place with a focus on dementia requires thoughtful planning and attention to detail. By creating spaces that are familiar, safe, and calming, interior designers can help support the well-being of individuals living with dementia and their loved ones. “Good design for people living with dementia is simply good design,” adds Daniel. “It shouldn’t look so different to what we expect from our interior spaces. It should look and feel ‘domestic’ but be designed really well with all these aspects in mind”.

With careful consideration of layout, lighting, safety features, and personalised touches, it’s possible to create homes that allow people with dementia to live comfortably, independently, and with dignity. The National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines came into effect on 1 July 2024 and provides guidance for residential aged care accommodation but many of the learnings and principles can be transferred across to residential home settings.

The Dementia Centre provides information, training, resources and consulting for those designing interior spaces, and is involved in supporting research and clinical trials in this area. It also leads a government-funded, national program through Dementia Support Australia (DSA).

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