Selecting materials and finishes
When choosing what materials or textures to use in a space it can be helpful to consider the following important aspects:
- How easy is this product to clean? Consider how the product will be maintained.
- Is the product durable, especially for high traffic areas? Flooring surfaces like vinyl are now made to be durable and long lasting. Carpet tiles can also make removing and replacing small sections easier and more cost efficient than traditional carpeting.
- Is the product domestic in style? Thanks to improvements in materials and technology, it is now easy to source commercial materials that can be cleaned easily and look domestic in style.
- Is the product familiar? Use materials that the person with dementia is familiar with. Familiar textures, colours or images can evoke memories and so should be used to aid familiarity and positive associations, for example using lace tablecloths.
- Does this product have good acoustic properties?
Acoustic properties
People living with dementia can experience some difficulty interpreting individual sounds in their environments, for example a friend’s voice at a noisy café. Consider how material choices may impact on maintaining good acoustics in the space. For more, see our page on sound.
- Soft materials have enhanced acoustic properties as they are better able to absorb sound. These could include carpet, vinyls, textured wall hangings or fabric finish curtains.
- Using soft surfaces such as carpet or vinyl is recommended for use in bedrooms and other high traffic areas.
- Hard wood floors reflect sounds and can be very noisy especially when used in high traffic areas. Acoustic underlays can be placed under hard flooring surfaces and this may enhance the acoustic properties of the material.
Materials that conduct temperature
Some materials especially metals are exceptional conductors of heat and cold. People living with dementia can often experience sensitivity to hot and cold surfaces.
- Consider the temperature comfort when using materials in areas that are open to the natural elements, such as outdoor seating areas or windows.
- Consider how different materials may impact on the persons comfort for regular use items. For example, stainless steel grab rails will likely be colder to touch than powder coated ones.
Sensory materials
Embedding sensory stimulation into the environment is an important aspect of enabling design. It provides points of interest, encourages exploration or can be used to help zone spaces.
- Natural materials can be included in a space through the use of wooden elements, plants or natural fabrics. These textural elements can add variety to a space and contribute to the domestic style of the home.
- Surrounding the person’s space with sensory items that are familiar to them (a macramé wall hanging they made, favourite doona on the bed) can help someone feel more comfortable in the space. It can also reinforce that person’s sense of identity.
- Sensory preferences are personal and individual. Having a mix of textures (for example knitted wool blanket, suede cushion, lace tablecloth) available in communal areas allows people to find and engage with what they find enjoyable or comfortable.
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