Environments make a ‘real difference’
A project, which aims to make a “real difference” to the quality and accessibility of built-environments for people living with dementia has launched. Alzheimer’s Australia WA, in partnership with the University of Wollongong launched the Dementia Enabling Environments Project (DEEP).
A project, which aims to make a “real difference” to the quality and accessibility of built-environments for people living with dementia has launched.
Alzheimer’s Australia WA, in partnership with the University of Wollongong launched the Dementia Enabling Environments Project (DEEP), aimed at translating research into best-practice design guidelines for architects and designers of aged care facilities.
Alzheimer’s Australia WA manager research and consultancy, Jason Burton, and director of the NSW/ACT Dementia Training Study Centre at the University of Wollongong, Richard Fleming, are among those working on the project.
According to Mr Burton, a “well-designed physical environment” can play a major factor in assisting those living with dementia.
“People with dementia face a number of issues that influence how they see, feel and respond to the built-environment,” he told The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency’s The Standard.
Mr Burton said this could be due to short-term memory loss, leading to disorientation in time and place; as well as their impaired perception causing difficulty in defining objects and spaces.
Professor Fleming echoed Mr Burton’s thoughts, describing the project as a “bold initiative”, making it easier for managers of health and aged care services to develop an environment which would help people with dementia lead “full lives”.
“When managers and architects are aware of them they make much better decisions about design. This project will put them into their hands and provide practical examples of their successful application,” Professor Fleming explained.
Initiatives to be developed as part of the project included environmental audit tools for care settings, course materials for university architectural students, workshops for professionals and families, a national library lending recourse and a virtual web-based centre of information and advice.
