Designing for dementia is becoming a major talking point amongst trade professionals working in the healthcare sector. In this article, we look at the growing opportunities in the sector and highlight some of the important considerations when specifying in care and how you can make more informed product decisions.

Growing opportunities in the sector
There are 17,000 care homes in the UK*, and according to research undertaken by building and construction market researchers AMA, demand for work in the care home sector is rising.

People are living longer, which means there is a greater need for more social care services. What’s more, the impact of Covid-19 has put care homes at risk, resulting in a call for buildings and facilities to be better equipped to protect against the virus.

With 70% of residents in care homes estimated to be living with dementia*, there is also a demand for improved care standards and more thoughtful interior designs.

Dulux Trade have rounded up evidenced-based design principles to help you make informed decisions on colour, design and product when designing for dementia.

Dementia friendly colour palettes
Colour should be carefully considered when designing spaces for people living with dementia. The right colour combinations can be used to encourage positive personal connections and provide stimulations with the space.

When selecting colours, it’s recommended to have 30 points of Light Reflectance Value between each critical surface such as main walls, feature walls, floors, doors and trims.

Dulux Trade have curated a Dementia Friendly Colour Palette to help you create supportive spaces that optimise occupant wellbeing in care homes. The palette is based on years of design experience and dementia knowledge and covers four critical areas:

• Main walls – opt for a more neutral palette using soft, calm tones.
• Feature walls – use mid tones to create aesthetic interest or highlighting obstacles.
• Doors – choose deep hues such as navy blues or burgundies to stand out from walls.
• Trims – stick to white or grey.

To see Dulux Trade’s recommended colour palettes and expert design tips on how to create spaces that meet the needs of care home patients and staff, view the Dulux Trade guide, Designing for Dementia.

3 Dulux Trade products ideal for care environments
Dulux Trade offer a wide range of durable, washable and stain resistant products, as well as specially formulated anti-bacterial paints, all of which provide long-lasting and professional standard finishes.

It’s also important to consider sheen levels during product selection. You’ll find these Dulux Trade products are low sheen or flat (non-reflective) to reduce glare, which can cause discomfort.

Here are 3 Dulux Trade products that are ideal for care environments:

Dulux Trade Sterishield Dual Active
Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt is a quick drying, water-based coating containing an in-film bactericide. It inhibits bacteria growth and reduces populations of MRSA, E. coli and Coronavirus. Promoting good hygiene, choose this innovation for healthcare environments. It also achieves Class 1 ISO 11998 and Type C BS 7719 scrub ratings, meaning walls withstand daily wear and tear.

Dulux Trade Diamond Matt
Scrub, scuff and stain-resistant, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt offers ultimate durability and a smooth matt finish that’s cleanable, too. Formulated with anti-fade technology it’ll keep its colour for years. It is also 99.9% VOC free** for minimal impact on indoor air quality† and complies with BREEAM and LEED certifications.

Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt
Perfect for use in high traffic environments such care homes, Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt offers the ultimate in scuff resistance. Not only will it withstand scrubbing and staining, but it’ll also stop scuffs from sticking to the paint surface.

For more information on how Dulux Trade can support your healthcare specification and designing for dementia spaces, click here

References:
*https://www.carehome.co.uk/advice/care-home-stats-number-of-settings-population-workforce
**Based on in-can VOC content and measured in accordance with ISO 11890-2:2013.
†Independently tested for indoor emissions, including formaldehyde, TVOC, TSVOC and Cat 1A & 1B carcinogens.