Person-centered design can help support a growing senior living population with dementia, according to speakers at the EFA Conference + Expo, April 15-18 in Charlotte, N.C., during the presentation “Plan and Implement a Successful Memory Care Continuum Within Your Community.”
The speakers noted that a dementia-friendly community is not only dependent on an appropriate daily program, but also a built environment that celebrates the resident’s individual, family, and community history. (Read more on dementia-related care here.)
The speaker panel included Jesica Alperin, director of staff education and dementia life at CaraVita Home Care (Roswell, Ga.); Beth Cayce, CEO of CaraVita Senior Care Management (Roswell, Ga.) and home care and chief clinical officer of Oaks/CaraVita Senior Care Oaks/CaraVita Senior Care; Melinda Avila-Torio, associate principal and senior interior designer at THW Design (Sandy Springs, Ga.); and Lian Dellasala, interior designer at THW Design.
Design elements that support person-centered approach
In using a person-centered approach for dementia residents, Avila-Torio said it’s important to consider key design elements that make it easier for the resident’s resiliency.
Planning and design of these features should start early, too, rather than retrofitted into a design, said Avila-Torio.
Some key design elements that support person-centered care include:
- Space planning that incorporates natural light during the day to cue circadian rhythms.
- Artificial light in the evening/night designed to help safely navigate spaces, such as around doorways and the edge of the bed.
- Visual contrast for spaces and furniture to support wayfinding for those with low visual acuity.
- Space adjacencies that flow naturally with activities to enhance transitions from one activity to another and allow residents to make choices successfully about what they want to do and where they want to go.
Additionally, the residents’ culture and history can be incorporated and honored through design. Personal memorabilia in an accessible sensory station can invite residents to touch and experience familiar items, which provide sensory stimuli and encourage exploration.
Make changes that support residents’ autonomy, independence
Before deciding on appropriate changes, project teams should observe how residents navigate and communicate with those around them. Any modification should meet the key objective to enhance the built environment’s response to supporting the resiliency of the residents.
Senior living communities should also consider innovations and new interpretations of design elements that support those living with Alzheimer’s and memory issues.
“For example, creating built-in displays located in the sitting area outside residential unit entries. These enclosed displays celebrate the resident’s life history, showcasing their personal memorabilia. This becomes another story sharing event, reminiscing together bonding over memories and interests,” said Avila-Torio.
Another design solution is incorporating a community wall showcasing all the residents’ artwork.
By using virtual reality training experiences, examining residents’ needs in context, and employing sensory cues through light and texture, the design industry can expand outside of the stereotypical approach, said Avila-Torio.
In addition, some communities have implemented memory care support programs including the Best Friends, Eden Alternative, or the Montessori programs.
“Cameron Camp of the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (Solon, Ohio) has spoken about the benefits the Montessori program offers the individual with dementia, as well as the caregiver,” said Avila-Torio. “The benefits include the concept of cognitive ramps and how this strategy can alleviate the daily caregiving stresses, but also empower the senior resident with visual cuing to respond to repeated question they ask throughout the day.”
Supporting caregiver team’s needs, too
The care team must have a commitment to a philosophy of care that will support quality of life where the resident is afforded the maximum opportunity to engage in activities of daily living, said Cayce.
“A beautiful space cannot survive on its own finishes, lighting, or furnishings,” Cayce said. “Its success is dependent on the daily program and sensory stimulation that comes from a well-designed program and a committed resident centered care team.”
Tracey Walker is managing editor of Environments for Aging. She can be reached at [email protected].
