Design for Dementia - Helen Hamlyn Centre - Royal College of Art

DESIGN FOR DEMENTIA
CARE AND EATING
7.
Low-tech Illumination
Illumination is important because it assists
the older eye to see better. It also highlights
areas of interaction by providing better
contrast. This is an area of focus for some
wardrobe developments for dementia and
is usually met by an electric-powered light
to intensify the light. Low-tech solutions
should be used wherever possible to cut
down on cost and maintenance. Here,
the design allows environmental light to
penetrate the wardrobe more deeply.
8.
9.
Clothes Display Hangers
Specialised hangers have been developed
so that whole outfits can be stored on
one hanger. The design is different from
traditional hangers by allowing hangers
to be hung off one another. Hanging
complete outfits together makes storage
and selection of clothing easier for residents
and carers alike, and enables
residents to recognise and choose an oufit
for themselves.
Clothing Display Hook
When the time comes that a person needs
assistance in dressing, it is good care
practice to give the resident two choices.
Carers currently lay clothes out on a bed
for residents to make a decision. A carer
can now hang two options on display
hooks in combination with the specialised
hangers on the white background of the
front doors. This enables the resident
to see how the clothes would look in
a vertical layout and at the right scale
without the need to conceptualise clothes
stacked on a bed. Clothes hanging up
in a ready-to-wear format may help a
resident in an advanced-stage of dementia
anticipate the activity that is about to
take place.
6.
9.
1.
3.
8.
5.
7.
2.
4.
84
WARDROBE
–
1. Height Reduction and Access
2. Colour and Material
3. Oversized Handles
4. Content Visible Drawers
5. Personalisation Area inside door
6. Out of Season Storage
7. Low-tech Illumination
8. Clothing Display Hanger
9. Clothing Display Hook