As residents experience changes in vision, hearing, and cognition, design becomes a critical tool for maintaining independence, safety, and quality of life.
Understanding Vision and Cognitive Decline
Ageing often brings changes to vision and perception, including reduced contrast sensitivity and depth perception. Cognitive decline can further complicate how residents interpret visual information.
Design responses should include:
- Strong tonal contrast between key elements (e.g., chairs vs floors, doors vs walls)
- Avoiding patterns on floors or walls, which can cause confusion or misinterpretation
- Minimising shadows, which may be perceived as obstacles
- Minimising strong tonal changes in flooring transitions which may also be perceived as obstacles.
A compelling example: simply changing toilet seats to a contrasting colour (such as black) has been shown to significantly reduce falls.
Lighting: A Critical Design Tool
Lighting plays a major role in visual clarity and wellbeing:
- Provide higher light levels (up to double typical lux levels)
- Maximise natural daylight, the most effective and comfortable light source
Good lighting reduces confusion, encourages the use of well-lit spaces, improves mood, and supports circadian rhythms.
Preserving Independence Through Familiarity
Cognitive decline does not equate to inability. Many individuals can continue performing familiar tasks safely when supported appropriately.
Design should:
- Enable access to everyday activities, such as cooking, through the inclusion of residential style kitchens
- Avoid overly restrictive or risk-averse environments, for example allowing access to residential style kitchen and an outdoor area.
- Encourage autonomy while maintaining safety
Addressing Hearing Loss and Acoustic Comfort
Hearing loss is common for people in aged care residences. Poor acoustic environments can make conversation exhausting and isolating, contributing to withdrawal and social disengagement.
Acoustic design is essential:
- Reduce background noise wherever possible
- Incorporate soft surfaces (like tablecloths) to reduce noise reverberation
- Use acoustic treatments to address reverberation
- Design smaller, quieter spaces, especially in social areas like dining rooms
Reducing auditory stress makes environments more inclusive and comfortable.
Designing for Dignity and Inclusion
Ultimately, sensory-sensitive design is about more than compliance—it’s about designing spaces that respect the lived experience of residents.
By reducing confusion, improving clarity, and enhancing comfort, environments can reinforce confidence and independence.
Learn more about how Fore can help with your Healthcare, Allied Health or Aged Care project.
Reference: National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines.