A new ‘dementia-friendly’ home has been developed jointly by leading building science research centre, BRE, and Loughborough University experts, at the BRE Innovation Park in Watford, ‘to help educate housebuilders, carers, and relatives on how to better support those living with dementia’.
Formally opened by Lord Richard Best OBE DL, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing & Care for Older People, the 100 m2 Victorian house has been adapted to cater for different types and stages of dementia, and is aimed at allowing sufferers to live independently. The upper floor been adapted for the more advanced stages of dementia.
The building was developed around the needs of two specific personas (or avatars), Chris and Sally, with the design narrative describing how the building’s features have been adapted to support Chris and Sally as they age well at home. The prototype will be supported by short films created by Loughborough University detailing how dementia affects the pair on a ‘good, ‘average’, and ‘bad day’.
The converted terrace house includes:
• Clear lines of sight and colour-coded paths that help guide people towards each specific room.
• Increased natural lighting.
• Automatically controlled natural ventilation.
• Noise reduction features, to reduce stress.
• Simple switches and heating controls, and safety sensors in high risk areas such as the kitchen.
• ‘Homely, simple, and familiar’ interior design to help promote rest and relaxation.
The £300,000 home has been designed by HLP Architects, based on the ‘design for dementia principles’ previously developed by Dr. Rob McDonald of Liverpool John Moores University and Bill Halsall of Halsall Lloyd Partnership. The home will also be used to assist Loughborough University’s ongoing research into how the features are used, with a view to further improving ways to support homeowners with dementia. Other research partners involved include AkzoNobel, John Lewis, Polypipe, and Rockwool.