Articles

Environmental Audits and Dementia Design Governance: How to Evidence Safe Adaptations to Commissioners and CQC

Great dementia environments are maintained through governance, not one-off refurbishments. This article explains how to run defensible environmental audits, link design changes to incidents and outcomes, and evidence decisions to...

Designing Shared Spaces in Dementia Care: Lounges, Dining Areas and Calm Environments That Reduce Distress

Shared spaces shape behaviour, appetite, sleep and social connection in dementia care. This article explains how to design lounges and dining areas that reduce distress, support meaningful activity and remain...

Bedrooms, Personalisation and Privacy in Dementia Care: Balancing Familiarity, Safety and Dignity

Bedrooms are central to safety, dignity and emotional security in dementia care. This article explores how personalisation, layout and privacy controls can reduce distress and risk while meeting commissioner and...

Wayfinding, Signage and Visual Cues in Dementia Care: Supporting Orientation Without Infantilisation

Poor wayfinding is a hidden driver of anxiety, dependency and escalation in dementia services. This article explains how signage, visual cues and layout design can support orientation, dignity and independence,...

Safe Access to Outdoor Space in Dementia Care: Gardens, Thresholds and Wandering Without Locking Doors

Outdoor access supports sleep, mood and reduced agitation in dementia care—but it can introduce real safety risks if poorly designed. This article explains practical outdoor design, thresholds and supervision models...

Designing Sensory Environments in Dementia Care: Noise, Lighting and Stimulation Without Restriction

Sensory overload is a common, avoidable trigger for distress and escalation in dementia settings. This article sets out practical ways to manage noise, lighting and stimulation through design and day-to-day...

Lighting, Colour and Contrast: Hidden Drivers of Safety and Behaviour in Dementia Settings

Lighting and visual contrast have a direct impact on safety, orientation and emotional regulation for people living with dementia. This article explains how poor lighting and contrast increase risk and...

Using Layout, Zoning and Flow to Reduce Distress and Escalation in Dementia Care

Poor layout and confusing internal flow are major contributors to distress, pacing and escalation in dementia services. This article explains how zoning, circulation routes and spatial design can be used...

Understanding How Dementia Affects Perception, Navigation and Environmental Tolerance

Dementia changes how people see, hear, interpret and tolerate their surroundings. This article explores how cognitive and sensory changes interact with the physical environment, and how providers can adapt settings...

Designing Dementia-Friendly Environments: Why the Physical Setting Is a Clinical and Care Intervention

The physical environment in dementia care directly affects distress, safety, behaviour and quality of life. This article explains why layout, lighting and design must be treated as part of care...