Annual Review 2011/12 - Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

Creating a positive
living environment
Age-related changes and impairments can make it more difficult for people to understand and
navigate the built environment. Sensory, mobility or cognitive impairments, and sometimes
a combination of these, can affect a person’s functioning, behaviour, independence, and
ultimately their quality of life.
Our challenge over the years has
been to design ‘enabling’ buildings
for our Homes. We base them on the
needs of the people who will live in
them – buildings that will allow them
the freedom and confidence to use
their abilities to the fullest extent in
all things from the mundane to the
creative. At the same time we have
to keep them safe from dangers
such as falls.
We have incorporated the learning
and guidance from the industry to
create in our Homes positive living
environments which are dementiafriendly.
For example, our design
features include: the use of contrast
which plays a vital role in signposting
different areas in the Home; use of
different lighting levels; and the use
of memory prompts such as pictures
or familiar objects to help with
orientation and to aid memory in
day-to-day living.
Fire upgrade works have been carried
out to bring the Homes up-to-date
with the most modern standards.
Lifts have been replaced and some
new ones have been installed to
improve overall access and ease of
movement around the Homes. We
have also embarked on refurbishing
corridors and many of our communal
areas. Bathroom renovations have
been carried out, and in many cases
en-suite facilities have been created
within bedrooms.
We have also carried out extensive
work to create positive outdoor spaces
through the introduction of ‘sensory
gardens’ which have beneficial effects
on people’s well being. Colours,
shapes, plants, vegetables and special
textures and features have been
introduced to help create innovative
and stimulating environments for all
the five senses.
“I really enjoy
the homely
surroundings and
the independence
that I can have.”
A resident at Lord Harris Court,
Berkshire
RMBI ANNUAL REVIEW 2011–12