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Innovative Environmental Design in Dementia Care

Addition and Renovation

The Kingswood Manor Health Care Center underwent a major renovation in 1999-2000 to incorporate innovative design features responsive to the needs of people with dementia and elderly residents in general. The environmental changes are based on a number of therapeutic goals. The goal statements highlight the desired relationship between the environment and the residents with dementia.

The therapeutic goals are (Cohen & Weisman, 1991):

• Ensure safety and security
• Support functional ability through meaningful activity
• Maximize awareness and orientation
• Provide opportunities for stimulation and change
• Maximize autonomy and control
• Adapt to changing needs
• Establish links to the healthy and familiar
• Provide opportunities for socialization
• Provide appropriate privacy

Based on these therapeutic goals, several design principles have evolved. These design principles provided the basis for environmental modifications at Kingswood Manor. These modifications include:

• Noninstitutional character
• Household cluster
• Domestic kitchen
• Domestic dining
• Enhanced privacy in semi-private resident rooms
• Dignified bathing