6 tips for dementia-friendly design

1. Familiarity - People are able to recognise and understand their environment, which; prevents and/or ameliorates spatial disorientation, and aids short-term memory
2. Legibility - People are able to understand where they are and where they need to go, which prevents and/or alleviates; spatial disorientation, confusion
3. Distinctiveness - Aids our ability to concentrate and pay attention. Distinctiveness in a neighbourhood encourages: orientation, wayfinding
4. Accessibility - Residents are able to reach, enter, use and move around places or spaces they need to, regardless of physical, sensory or cognitive impairment, which: facilitates movement, reduces injury and frustration
5. Comfort - Residents feel relaxed and able to visit, use and enjoy spaces of their choice, which reduces physical and/or psychological discomfort
6. Safety - Residents are allowed to move around, use and enjoy the neighbourhood without fear of harm, which increases morale and decreases risk of injury