Working with the elderly and how to make your day together successful:
Memory-friendly design in living room
Hovi Care wants to openly share with the family members of the elderly some ideas about the ways you can make your day successful. This time, in our section: Working with the elderly, we talk about how to apply memory-friendly design practices in the living room.
Memory-friendly design is an approach to designing spaces and products that consider the needs and abilities of individuals with memory impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here are some ways memory-friendly design could be applied in a living room:
- Clear layout: A clear and uncluttered layout can help individuals with memory impairment navigate the living room more easily and reduce confusion. Furniture should be arranged simply and intuitively with clear pathways.
- Colour contrast: Using contrasting colours for different elements, such as walls and Furniture, can help individuals with memory impairment differentiate between different components and identify important features.
- Adequate lighting: Adequate lighting can help individuals with memory impairment see what they are doing and navigate the living room more easily. It can also help improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
- Familiar objects: Including familiar objects, such as photographs, artwork, or Furniture, can help individuals with memory impairment feel more comfortable and secure in the living room.
- Sensory stimulation: Including sensory stimulation, such as soft textures, pleasant smells, or relaxing sounds, can help individuals with memory impairment feel more engaged and stimulated in the living room.
- Safety features: Installing safety features, such as non-slip flooring and grab bars, can help prevent falls and injuries in individuals with memory impairment.
- Functional Furniture: Including functional Furniture, such as chairs with armrests or side tables, can make it easier for individuals with memory impairment to sit down and get up.
In summary, memory-friendly design can be applied in a living room by using a clear layout, colour contrast, adequate lighting, familiar objects, sensory stimulation, safety features, and functional Furniture. These features can help individuals with memory impairment navigate the space more easily, feel more comfortable and secure, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Read also our other articles on the Memory Friendly Design practices: