Importance of Tile Selection in Care Environments
When designing care facilities, especially for individuals with dementia, selecting the right tiles is crucial. Age-related changes and cognitive impairments can complicate navigation within a building. To assist in this process, we’ve created a comprehensive guide assessing tile suitability for dementia-friendly environments.
Floor coverings play a significant role in creating a dementia-friendly environment, affecting both safety and spatial orientation. When chosen carefully, tiles can enhance confidence, security, and independence for residents.
Key Considerations for Colour and Contrast
A carefully considered colour scheme is essential in dementia units to promote comfort for residents. Light Reflectance Values (LRVs)—the amount of visible light reflected from walls and floors—are vital in this regard. For optimal contrast, the floor and walls should differ by at least 30 LRV points. Effective colour contrast between furniture, floors, and walls can reduce trip hazards and encourage greater independence for individuals with visual impairments.
A carefully considered colour scheme is essential in dementia units to promote comfort for residents. Light Reflectance Values (LRVs)—the amount of visible light reflected from walls and floors—are vital in this regard. For optimal contrast, the floor and walls should differ by at least 30 LRV points. Effective colour contrast between furniture, floors, and walls can reduce trip hazards and encourage greater independence for individuals with visual impairments.
Utilising Colour and Contrast Effectively
• Identifying Spaces: Strategic use of colour and contrast allows individuals with dementia and sight loss to easily identify rooms and key features, facilitating independent living.
• Highlighting Hazards: Use contrasting colours to draw attention to potential dangers, such as sharp edges and steps. For example, contrasting step edges with stair treads enhances safety by visually signalling changes in flooring levels.
• Emphasising Key Features: Ensure that important elements like switches, railings, and furniture are in contrasting colours, making them easier to locate. For instance, doorways and handles should stand out against walls to assist with navigation.
• Enhancing Visibility in Bathrooms: Using contrasting colours for toilet seats and surrounding surfaces improves visibility, making it easier for residents to identify restrooms.
View Our Online Tile Booklet for Care Projects
Designing Entrances and Exits
Effective design of entrances and exits is vital for individuals with sight loss and dementia, allowing for smooth transitions between rooms and outdoor spaces.
Design Recommendations
• Entrance Matting: Consider high-quality entrance matting to minimise slip risks from wet floors. Properly designed matting captures dirt and moisture, preventing it from spreading into the building.
• Accessibility: Doorways should be wide enough for individuals with varying mobility levels, and external entries should facilitate easy access to outdoor areas. Keep thresholds as low as possible to reduce trip hazards.
Tile collection reccomendations
Optimising Bathrooms and Wet Areas
Thoughtful bathroom design can enhance independence in personal hygiene tasks.
Design Features to Consider
• Low-Profile Shower Trays: These minimize trip hazards and improve access to shower areas.
• Contrasting Toilet Seats: Ensure toilet seats are a different colour from surrounding surfaces for easier identification.
• Differentiated Door Colours: Use distinct colours for bathroom doors, supplemented with signage or imagery to aid memory.
Floor tile collection recomendations
Wall tile collection recommendations
Kitchen Design for Independence
Thoughtful bathroom design can enhance independence in personal hygiene tasks.
Design Strategies
• Use of Contrast: Incorporate contrasting handles on kitchen cupboards and drawers to enhance visibility. For instance, red handles on white cabinetry create effective contrasts.
• Solid Colour Worktops: Opt for solid, matt-finish worktops to reduce glare and visual clutter, making the kitchen more user-friendly. Light-coloured surfaces can maximize light distribution, enhancing visibility.
Floor tile collection recommendations
By focusing on these design elements, care projects can create safe, comfortable, and supportive environments for individuals with dementia.