- Small-scale household models: The small home model is less confusing and more familiar to navigate.
- Familiar homelike environments: Bring favourite artwork, photos, and furniture to feel more at home.
- Biophilic (natural) design and light: Natural light from windows improves sleep and mood.
- Acoustic comfort: We use soft furnishings to improve acoustics
- Intuitive wayfinding: We lay things out intuitively with clear signage.
- Flexible spaces: We can rearrange our spaces to suit different activities and preferences.
- Safety features: We have bright lighting, handrails, and other safety features for independent navigation.
The design of your loved one’s home environment plays a key role in shaping their emotional wellbeing. In exploring the relationship, it’s clear that every single design choice, from lighting to layout, has a big impact on our loved ones’ quality of life. More traditional care settings can sometimes feel institutional, which can leave residents feeling unsettled or anxious. That’s why we take a different approach: creating homes that feel intimate, familiar and safe. So, how does our design support emotional wellbeing? Let’s take a look.
Small-scale household models:
Many traditional care homes have long, winding corridors and an accessible yet institutional feel. This design works for healthcare professionals, but can be confusing and very unfamiliar to our loved ones. Instead, we take the small house approach. Our small households are typically home to up to 10 residents, which creates a more intimate and domestic atmosphere, creating a calmer, more settled environment where your loved one can feel at ease.
Familiar homelike environments:
We aim to create an environment where your loved one will feel at home. Familiarity is key. That’s why we encourage our residents to bring familiar items such as favourite artwork, photos, and furniture. We feel this helps anchor our residents, giving them a sense of belonging and stability.
Learn more about our personalised permanent stay care.
Biophilic (natural) design and light:
Natural light can be very beneficial. Have you ever tried sleeping with the curtains open so that you could wake up naturally in the morning? Making sure we have access to natural light, even when indoors, is a great way to regulate the sleep patterns that can go so askew when you have dementia. This might mean installing blinds that automatically open, or just making a point of opening and closing blinds and curtains at specific times of day. Natural light also boosts mood and supports relaxation, especially when paired with easy access to views of nature, the garden, and fresh air.
Acoustic comfort:
An empty, echoey home can feel cold and unsettling. Some buildings are large, yet they still manage to have a cosy, welcoming feel. Think about libraries and hotels, for example – they have some hard desks and tables, but they also have cosy corners with beanbags, carpet, and soft chairs. This is exactly what we aim to implement, too. We use sound-absorbing soft furnishings to make rooms and living areas quieter, calmer, and less chaotic.
Find out more about the range of personalised care services we offer.
Intuitive wayfinding:
You can probably find your way around your home easily, even in the dark. You’re familiar with where you keep everything, where you’ve put your furniture, and you’ve laid everything out in a way that works for you, a clear, simple layout. We lay things out intuitively, too. If anything is behind a door, in a drawer, or in a cupboard, we label it with recognisable signage so each resident can explore their home with confidence. This intuitive wayfinding means less confusion and more confidence for your loved one.
Flexible spaces:
We shape each day around what brings each resident joy, whether that’s a movie night, a community gathering, or quiet time over a jigsaw puzzle. Living areas that adapt to different moments enhance these experiences, and we’re thoughtful about catering to different preferences, like softer lighting or a quieter space when it’s needed.
And not everyone stays at Videri permanently. Find out about our flexible respite.
Safety features
Of course, a Videri home should never feel clinical. But thoughtful safety features are woven in quietly. Bright lighting, triggered by motion sensors, will help your loved one stay safe when it gets dark without them getting frustrated looking for a light switch, and they don’t have to stay switched on permanently, so they don’t clash with other lighting preferences. Non-slip flooring in the form of simple, stylish, hardwood flooring will help your loved one walk around safely, while handrails are always there when they need them, too. This sense of security gives residents the freedom to explore their home with curiosity and confidence.
Every one of these design choices plays a part in supporting your loved one’s emotional wellbeing. Together, they help create something more than a place to live: a home, shaped around comfort, connection and the rhythms of everyday life. This is part of how we do dementia differently.
Contact us to learn more about life at Videri, and the ways we can support you and your loved one.
