DESIGNING FOR CARE HOMES
When designing for dementia and care home settings we take a person-centred, research-led approach to maximise independence and accessibility, both physically and mentally.
Many gardens are designed purely with aesthetics in mind - and while this has inherent value, gardens in care settings have the potential to offer so much more. With activities, stimulation, peacefulness, food, wonderment, wildlife, decision-making, independence, reminiscence and more available, gardens can be a lot more than just places to look at. Below is an example of part of a garden we created at a Dementia Care Home. In this low budget garden, we managed to include many more dementia-friendly design features than in a traditional garden... take a look beyond the flowers.
Accessibility and activities.
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The garden being an exterior space needs careful planning in its use and integration into the wider home. This starts with physical accessibility - gardens should be wheelchair and zimmerframe friendly, as well as having ample shade and seating available. Features that may exclude and/or confuse individuals should be avoided such as certain flooring materials and layouts that can confuse and worry residents.
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The second part of accessibility is opportunity based. Do staff and residents have the opportunity and/or inspiration to go outside and reap the benefits from being out there? This can be remedied by having clear ideas of what to do when outside, aided by activities built into the in the garden, such as 'guess the herb', hanging out the washing, playing the instrument, flower arranging and making daisy chains. This not only gives the residents something to aim for when considering whether or not to go outside, but it provides staff the means to facilitate time outside more easily, resulting in them doing so more frequently.
Another part of inspiring residents and staff to venture outside can be done from indoors. A great way of encouraging people outside is by having an activity in view from inside the home, that can either inspire residents or require them to visit the garden. For example an easily identifiable mock post-box in the garden means that residents can write letters to loved ones and then physically post them outside, connecting them to memories and the world around them.
Independence.
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Gardens should allow where possible independent exploration and decision-making, which is vital in maximising independence for people with dementia. Part of this includes facilitating an environment where users of the garden can exercise decision-making in a genuine way, while remaining safe from injury and confusion. This mainly comes down to layout and signage; having a continuous, 'flowing' layout that avoids obstructions, cul-de-sacs or unclear junctions, but that also allows for options and decision-making, facilitated by clear and regular signage is ideal.
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Part of maximising independence for residents lies with the ability of care home staff to allow for safe, independent exploration by having trust in the surrounding environment. This is facilitated by allowing staff to maintain 'line of sight' through the garden, as well as regular and plentiful seating at key intervals through the garden. Another key part of good dementia design is 'soft security' which involves gently diverting attention away from, as well as obscuring, exits and boundaries.
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A range of clear, tailored activities can also facilitate independence in the garden, as staff are not necessarily required in order for each activity to take place.
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Person centred and research-led.
Our approach involves centralising the user at the heart of the design process. It starts by understanding their capabilities, desires, requirements and hopes for the future. These foundations are informed by academic research - that when combined with careful design - based around not the space, but the residents, create places that truly benefit those who use them.
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This tried and tested process enables us to ensure that the gardens we create maximise the potential of each space and setting, in turn maximising the potential of the users' enjoyment and engagement in the space and ultimately improving their quality of life.
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'Green spaces can provide us with what we need: food, peace and exercise, in a sustainable and affordable way'
There's more... check out the WHAT WE DO tab for more information, including our edible planting and sustainable approach.
We can take care of the whole process, from initial consultation of what you want from the space and any ideas you have, through to fully designing plans and finally the construction phase. Typically we do whole garden spaces however we also undertake works in a smaller capacity which require a more sustainable or specialised approach. If you just want a design, we can provide that too. We mainly operate across the south of England, but we're very adaptable and can work nationwide, so if you're interested or want to ask a question then please GET IN TOUCH. We can send you further details via email or we can arrange a no strings attached site visit, meeting or call, to see if we can help you grow your outside spaces.
