1. NURSING HOMES Evidens Based Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

2. Architecture & Interior Design for Dementia Sufferes Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Dementia is an organic disorder

3. The first symptoms of dementia is reduced sense of space, poor memory, confusion and decreased ability to function in everyday life. When submitting to a nursing home, the symptoms are so severe, that constant care is needed. The brain can no longer interpret sight and sense impressions as normal, and almost all body functions are affected. Dementia is a fatal disease and eventually the nursing home acts as a hospice. Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

4. How many In Denmark up to 90% of all nursing home residents suffers from a form of dementia (depending on survey) Many are not diagnosed with dementia, but with stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and others. All diseases that may cause dementia Is dementia the criterion for nursing home accommodation? How many demented must there be, before we make nursing homes evidens based dementia friendly? What if they instead suffered from blindness or cancer? Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

5. Among others Dementia changes the ability to: Perceive space and depth Percieve patterns Recognize design Concentrate and learn Find their way – Up to instant memory lose Read words Stop negative emotions Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk architectural considerations needed

6. Space & depth We must explain space and depth by using colors and light. All surfaces within a space must be emphasized by difference in color and light reflectance value. Light up all areas where something new is happening: A door, a toilet, the direction of the hallway… There must be no reflections of light, it overstimulates the brain Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Only build one floor buildings Glass will be perceived as nothing, dark colors as distance

7. Light reflectance value Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Explain space by 30% LRV contrast between door, floor, wall, ceiling, furnitures eg. Note: Materials and colors can have the same LRV, we have to consider both. Unneeded spatial information can be toned down using the same LRV

8. Patterns Never use decorative patterns Small patterns can be percieved as bugs or dirt Small patterns can be percieved as bugs or dirt large pattern will be taken literally and spatially large pattern will be taken literally and spatially Patterns overstimulate the brain Patterns overstimulate the brain Beware of furnishing fabrics, curtains, tablecloths, murals and flooring Only use patterns for reminiscence on surfaces that have no other function Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

9. Design Examples: Windows that looks like doors, toilets, faucets, light switches, (missing) handles, etc. Design must be archetypical. - People who only remember 70 years old design, should be able to understand how things work and what they are for. OBS Wrong design causes unnecessary anxiety and confusion and increase the need for help. Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk ?

10. Show and hide Demented can not remember or imagine what is behind a door – You must show it to them. They will not remember what is where Ask yourself, what gets a kitchen / bathroom / living room / bedroom /… look like ditto? -Visible appliances and equipment, specific furnitures? Unnecessary visual impressions will disturb and confuse: Clutter, lifts trolleys, etc. – Make room for those elsewhere. Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

11. Way finding Imagine being lost in your own home Building layout must be straight forward and with excellent overview to the shared dining / living room, and toilet. The number of residents is crucial to how long the hallway will be (No more then 9, but rather less) Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Dementia-Friendly Architecture: Environments That Facilitate Wayfinding in Nursing Homes. Gesine Marquardt, PhD, and Peter Schmieg, PhD. 2009 We act like, learning new is not possible at all. We must act like, learning new is not possible at all.

12. Overview Demented need overview: Only one room in the appartment with all over view to the toilet and the entrance door (must look like an entrance door) Mirrors are banned, so are any reflective materials No repeated furnitures - They must stand out from each other by at least color or 30LRV Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

13. Signs Avoid signs – Be straight forward instead Use pictograms instead of writing Remember it is a home Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Plan signage

14. Dementia and emotions It is important to know, that emotions lasts longer than memory – Hours longer Demented have normal feelings – It is the triggering cause that is abnormal If it is hard to find the way or to use the bathroom for instanse, it will cause axiety and restless wandering, and the need for personal care is increased drastically Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk Care and architecture must support positive emotions

15. Normal daily rhythm Dementia affects the circadian rhythm Make sure there is sufficient daylight in every room Provide safe open air areas (Without possibility of being lost). Sensory garden is preferable. Working lights for night shifts should be incorporated independently in the décor Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

16. Homeliness Remember a home is cosy and contains all our personal belongings and furniture – Make room for it Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk How many furnitures will actualy fit into the room? Is there room for a three-seater? How many people has a kitchen in the entrance hall? NOTE windows, sliding doors, radiators and installations blocks interior decoration possibilities

17. Recent research indicate the potential to treat dementia using architecture and interior design combined with pedagogical methods Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk

18. Summary Straight forward building layout with complete overview Only one room that exudes the same use Archetypal decor and design Emphasis need to know Dim unnecessary (or unwanted) Color and LRV = Depth and visability What you think is beautiful is subordinate – We are building “medication” for severely ill people. Please go to www.aneboa.dk for more information www.aneboa.dk Ane Boa www.aneboa.dk