Nursing Home Design Guide
2006
Family Spaces
Enhancing self-esteem
Room with fireplace
Maximized independence
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Home-like arrangements
Staff competencies
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Intimate Spaces
Welcoming relatives into the facility
Tables and chairs on a balcony
Involvement of local community
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Benches with a view
Provision of Wayfinding and
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Views to Exterior
orientation
Large windowed walls
Meaningful use of time
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Indoor/Outdoor areas (balconies,
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screened porches)
A unit that is designed for a dementia
populace should serve to compensate
for the effects of dementia and reinforce
2.3.3 Design and Dementia Care
the skills and functions that remain.
Dementia is a general term indicating
These features include:
changes to a cognitive function that
result from a range of specific, usually
Designing for a "Healing
progressive and irreversible disorders of
Environment".
Inclusion of generic, familiar activities
the brain. The most common of these
disorders is Alzheimer's disease.
Safety features that are not imposing
Symptoms related to Alzheimer's
(wander guard)
include:
Safe outdoor space
Use of physical objects rather than
Short term memory loss
color for recognition
Difficulty in spatial perception
Limited size in the unit
Difficulty planning activities
Noise control
Lower thresholds for stress
Enhancements of visual access
Behavioral Impairment
Signage and Way Finding tools or
Wandering behaviors
cues
Dementia residents may remain at the
2.3.4 Lighting
Nursing Home for extended periods. A
design that reflects sensitivity to the
Regardless of one's age, lighting plays
needs of the dementia population at a
an important role in the ability to
Nursing Home will have a positive
perceive and discriminate light, color,
contrast and textures. As one ages, the
impact on the residential environment.
capacity diminishes and items that were
1. General Design - The
once clear to see now seem fuzzy or
acknowledgement of the critical,
unrecognizable. An inability to
functional issues is the first step towards
accurately judge color in interior
a proactive approach in designing for
environments can result in
disorientation, accidents, and reduced
dementia care in a residential facility.
There are certain principles to consider
efficiency in completing tasks, overall
discomfort or ill health. The following
when designing for the accommodations
sub-sections relate to the natural and
of the dementia resident. Planning
considerations include:
artificial lighting considerations for the
Reinforcing personal identity
design of a Nursing Home facility:
Office of Facilities Management
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