What makes a ward dementia friendly?

Our enhanced dementia care unit is smaller and calmer than other wards. It allows patients with dementia to access treatment in a more relaxed, more homely environment.

Our patients are free to walk around the ward while enjoying stimulating activities such as arts and music. Staff are also able to spend quality time with each patient - getting to know them individually with the ability to provide the right support in times of need.

Working in partnership with our ward staff, we have been able to refurbish our enhanced dementia care unit to deliver a friendlier environment for our patients. This is a place where vulnerable patients can relax, remain calm and feel comfortable during their stay in hospital.

We’ve used colour coding and contrasting detail to make it easier for our patients to move around. Doors to each patient area match the colour of their bays (red doors for ‘red bay’) with toilet and washroom doors now wrapped in a bright yellow colour.

Walls are clutter-free, signage is clear and handrails are in place all the way around the ward.

Going forward, projects will echo this design across the Trust in order to create a welcoming and visually friendly environment.

As well as memory loss, dementia can create other visual challenges. Changes in colour of the floor can cause illusions as if there is something there that needs to be stepped over, whereas shiny surfaces can appear wet and patches of dark flooring can look like holes in the ground.  

We’ve completely replaced our ward flooring with a continuous blue colour to not only welcome a fresh look but also to provide a safer environment for our patients.

During the refurbishment project, we’ve also been able to renovate the nurses’ station and treatment room which will help staff maintain a homely and clutter-free space.

Find out more

Read more about how our ward is giving patients with dementia a better chance of returning to their own homes in Dementia Together, a magazine from Alzheimer’s Society.