When it comes time to choose a memory care community for your loved one with dementia, there are a lot of factors to consider. Pricing structure, availability, floor plans, activities … as you’re going through your list, here’s one more item to consider: how the community is designed and laid out.
“What you may not know is that community design and layout can greatly impact the well-being, happiness and life enrichment of a person with dementia,” says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA. “Because dementia affects the brain in unique ways, it’s very common for those living with the disease to misinterpret visual clues and become confused or agitated. The very best dementia care communities, like Bridges by EPOCH at Westwood, understand the importance of good design and build their communities to specifically address the issues of those with memory issues like Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”
The key to purpose-built design, says Barbara, is understanding the disease at a foundational level and understanding how those living with dementia perceive the world around them. “For example, as the disease progresses, spatial awareness and an inability to distinguish between low-contrast items can lead to disorientation and a higher risk of falls,” she says. “In order to keep residents safe and confident, it’s important for a community to not have things like changes in floor color, which could be perceived as a step. They also need to make sure that toilets are high contrast from the floor and surrounding walls so they are sharply visible to the individuals.”
There’s a lot to consider, says Barbara, but it’s really not as complicated as it seems at first. “There has been a lot of research into the importance of purposeful design and how to make communities provide the best environment possible for those with dementia. Our community has taken this research and built our surroundings specifically to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Soft colors, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a safe, soothing environment where our residents feel safe, confident and cared for.”
Look for a Homelike Environment
The first, and perhaps most important aspect you will want to look for, is the actual environment of the community. You want to make sure the community where your loved one will live feels “homelike.” That means avoiding white tile floors, harsh fluorescent lighting and a sterile, clinical feel. Instead, look for a place that seems like it’s designed with comfort and “home” in mind. Comfortable seating, residential-style lighting, vintage photographs and even community pets are all excellent features that show the community is focused on making their residents feel at home.
“Bridges offers four distinct, residential neighborhoods instead of an apartment-style community,” says Barbara. “These households offer complete visibility, so our care team can see the entire household with one glance. Privacy panels are placed throughout to limit distractions, and our seating options are comfortable and inviting. A peaceful library offers an area for reading or quiet games, and the dining area features restaurant-style dining in a family atmosphere. Residents also have access to a secured beautiful courtyard area, which has walking paths, comfortable seating, raised planter beds, birdhouses and more.”
Look for Color Differentiation
As we mentioned earlier, color differentiation is critical to helping those with dementia navigate their world and feel confident and comfortable. Look for high-contrast colors and tones, like walls and doors that are painted strikingly different colors, or handrails that are painted bold colors against lighter-colored walls. Another good thing to look for are clear contrasts in colors that are used to mark different spaces, like the dining room, bathrooms and library.
Look for Reminiscence Opportunities
Dementia severely affects short-term memory, but those with the disease are often able to recall – with startling clarity – events from the long-ago past. Memory care communities with purposeful design will create life stations or reminiscence opportunities to help stir memories and promote well-being. Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood has interactive life stations where our residents can act out familiar activities, such as caring for a baby, working in the kitchen, dressing up and others. This form of therapy can help reduce stress and promote bonding between residents and the staff.
Look for Wayfinding Cues
Wandering is a big issue for individuals with dementia, and a purpose-built memory community helps residents navigate safely and find their destination with a minimum of confusion or frustration. Wayfinding cues assist in building confidence – and, of course, making sure that entrances and exits are completely secure provide peace of mind for family members.
Other Things to Look For
- Are the visual and acoustic surroundings free of disruption and distraction?
- Are spaces easy to navigate and generationally appropriate?
- Are floor materials suitable, such as vinyl or carpet instead of tile (which is noisy and causes distractions)?
- Are lighting levels appropriate so residents can see clearly what’s around them?
- Is there safe and easy access to outside spaces?
“The choice of a memory care community for your loved one is a big decision, and Bridges by EPOCH at Westwood takes your trust in us very seriously,” says Barbara. “We are constantly evolving our approach to memory care to incorporate research-based best practices in order to make sure our residents with dementia and other memory issues are living the very best possible lives. We invite you to take a virtual tour of our purpose-built community and see for yourself how everything has been designed with our residents in mind.”
Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – enriching the lives of our residents every day.
Inspiring Programs for All Stages
No matter what level of care or service is needed, residents and families can rest assured that our care and life enrichment programs address the various stages of memory decline, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place.
Dedicated Memory Care
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, our services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for residents in various stages of memory loss.
Contact us today to learn more.