The importance of wayfinding in dementia care

Dementia care is a complex field that involves serious consideration to ensure patients receive the best possible support for themselves and those around them. This includes environments where those with dementia live and how this can affect their day-to-day activities and quality of life. 

A big part of creating a dementia-friendly environment in aged care facilities for dementia patients is providing wayfinding cues where possible. Wayfinding allows those with dementia and memory problems to maintain a sense of independence as they can move from one place to another with greater ease, thanks to visual aids that help trigger memories of where they are.

Clear signposting can be vital in healthcare settings, but when creating these spaces, you also need to use durable and hygienic materials. With wall protection, you get a proven, high-performance alternative to tiles that is impact resistant, grout-free and easy to maintain. As such, it’s ideal for clinical areas where easy-to-clean settings need to be maintained.

Wayfinding can be aided by proper colour contrast, especially between floors and walls. Taking the robustness of Altro Whiterock White™ and applying bold and glossy finishes in various colours would be ideal for aged care facilities for dementia patients. Altro Whiterock Chameleon™ does exactly that across 16 high-impact shades with a watertight, wipe-clean surface.
 

Take this one step further with the customisable wall panels of Altro Whiterock Digiclad™, where custom prints can be put onto the walls, helping with distinctive signage and unique designs to suit any setting. These can be used to offer orientation lifelines with enhanced signage and seasonal artworks, helping strengthen a sense of place for those living with dementia and creating a more homely feel that softens the institutional feeling of these facilities.

Flooring can also help with designing for dementia, with Altro Orchestra Custom™ offering customised vinyl flooring to positively affect well-being with bold and bright designs helping distinguish different areas. With a 15dB sound reduction and excellent resistance to residual indentation, it is great for communal areas where comfort underfoot is imperative.

Altro Wood Comfort™ can also provide a more homely feel to rooms, making residents feel more comfortable in their surroundings. A safety flooring that combines aesthetic appeal and high slip resistance, it also facilitates the flexible use of equipment thanks to its suitability for wheeled traffic, making it able to cope with hospital beds and wheelchairs.

For more information or recommendations on designing for the healthcare sector, visit our Health and Care page.