Designing Activity Space for Dementia Patients

Dementia is the loss of intellectual abilities (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning), which interferes with a person’s daily function. It is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases.

As a result, the mental abilities of the person with dementia decline. This leads to failing memory, deterioration of intellectual function, and personality changes. There is no definitive cure for dementia as the exact causes are unclear. However, it is possible to minimise some of the common symptoms with medication, in addition to patient-centred care. Therapies, such as reality orientation and reminiscence, also help to manage some of these symptoms. The occupational therapists carry out activities of daily living training for seniors to encourage independence within the community, as well as in nursing homes for residing patients.

Our Community Partner
Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital

Our Faculty Members
Assistant Professor Agnes Xue, Business, Communication and Design Cluster
Associate Professor May Lim, Health and Social Sciences Cluster

Glasgow School of Arts Faculty Member
Mr Lee Seung-Ho

Challenges

• Achieving person-centred care for dementia patients
• Designing appropriate activity/therapy spaces that can stimulate the senses, while considering user experiences, nostalgia, sustainability and fittings, as well as accessibility and patient safety

Key Innovation

• Various age-friendly features within different themes to make the activity spaces assuring, welcoming, and conducive to optimise therapeutic effects for the users.