Creative Spaces - dementia and environment
Design and the National Dementia Strategy
It’s a week that sees two reports about dementia in the UK news.
In one, a young designer working with the Helen Hamlyn Foundation and BUPA has come up with designs for utensils that make it easier for older people in care homes to eat independently. The designer, Gregor Timlin is quoted as saying, "Care homes are the place design forgot. Older people in care have no choice but to use designs most carers would be embarrassed to use."
In another, the National Audit Office has criticised the delivery of the National Dementia Strategy. In particular it criticises a failure to make dementia a national priority in the NHS Operating Framework - which sets out the key areas for the NHS in the year ahead.
As this is its first year it might be too early to criticise the implementation of the plan, however it seems that NHS trusts are resistant to the idea that dementia should be a priority.
The criticism about the poor design of care homes comes as no surprise to us here at the Sensory Trust. Despite their name, care homes are often buildings adapted from some other purpose or designed as health care facilities rather than as homes. Sensory Trust are working with Cornwall Care to improve the design of living spaces in their care homes as we believe that the care environments have a profound impact on older people with dementia. Our Creative Spaces project sets out to prove that well designed environments can lead to improved quality of life for those with dementia, their families and carers.
- "Dementia not getting priority" - National Audit Office
- The utensils keeping frail people eating independently
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