Dementia-Friendly Design
We built our campus from the ground-up to ensure we created exactly what was needed to support people living with dementia. But you don’t need to start from blueprints to create a safe home environment.
Many of the same concepts we use on campus can be adapted to your home to make spaces easier and safer to navigate. Our campus design uses architecture and the surrounding environment to support both people living with dementia and their care partners. We have seen how thoughtful design can reduce confusion, increase independence and create a calmer daily experience.
1. Pay Close Attention to Lighting
We intentionally designed our campus with many large windows to allow for a lot of natural light. Natural light helps in two important ways. First, changes in the brain can make dark areas, shadows and glare appear confusing or even frightening. Bright, even lighting can make spaces easier to navigate. Second, natural light supports healthy circadian rhythms. These rhythms are the body’s natural sleep-wake cycles that help people feel alert during the day and sleepy at night. Disruptions to this internal clock can happen with dementia, and good daytime lighting can help support better sleep patterns.
Modify at Home
• Keep heavy curtains or blinds completely open during the day
• Add lamps to dark corners or hallways to eliminate shadows
• Use non-glare or soft white light bulbs to reduce harsh reflections that can be perceived as something frightening
• Consider motion-activated nightlights in hallways and bathrooms to help with nighttime navigation
2. Keep Flooring Safe
Smooth, no-slip flooring is ideal. Our campus walking path is made from extremely smooth concrete, so people using walkers or canes can move confidently. Inside our Memory Café, the flooring can be easily cleaned but still provides traction to help prevent slips. We do not use throw rugs or busy patterns. Keep in mind changes in flooring patterns, dark spots or highly reflective surfaces can sometimes be mistaken by someone living with dementia for holes, steps or obstacles.
Modify at Home
• Remove loose area rugs and entryway mats, which often cause tripping
• Relocate electrical cords or cables running through high-traffic areas
• When choosing walking routes outdoors, look for smooth, even surfaces that feel secure underfoot
3. Use Contrasting Colors
As dementia progresses, people may have difficulty distinguishing objects that blend into the background. High contrast helps important items stand out. For example, in our Memory Café the white tables contrast clearly with the red flooring. In our Adult Day Club, toilet seats are red while the toilet itself is white. The plates we use are brightly colored instead of white, so they stand out against the table. These small visual cues make it easier to identify objects.
Modify at Home
• Use plates that contrast with the table or placemat, so food is easier to see
• Choose towels that contrast with bathroom walls or counters
• Consider a toilet seat that contrasts with the toilet and floor color
• Avoid busy patterns on floors or furniture that can create visual confusion
4. Add Wayfinding Cues
Wayfinding simply means helping someone understand how to get where they want to go. On campus, we use several techniques to make navigation easier. Large, distinct works of art help people recognize different areas. Pathways between rooms are clear and easy to follow. Restrooms have visible signs, and at our Assisted Living Center, photos on front doors help residents recognize their own rooms. These cues can reduce anxiety and allow people living with dementia to move around more independently.
Modify at Home
• Keep pathways between rooms clear of clutter or unnecessary furniture
• Use simple labels or photos on cabinets and drawers
• Place a recognizable photo of a bathtub on bathroom door
Even small changes in lighting, color, layout or organization can make daily activities easier and reduce stress. Have a question about design or anything else dementia-related? Come learn much more about our campus design and all the ways we support caregivers! Please register for our April 2 open house.