A Design and Dementia Community of Practice (CoP) is currently developing knowledge translation (KT) tools that provide evidenced-based recommendations for dementia and senior friendly environmental design.
 

Dementia-Friendly Design Considerations

Presentations

• Designers of the Future - Application of Dementia-Friendly Design Principles (slides), Presenters: Kfir Gluzberg, Architect, Contract Lecturer, Ryerson School of Interior Design; Ilanit Frolov, 4th year student, Bachelor of Interior Design, Ryerson School of Interior Design; Selin Yasar, 4th year student, Bachelor of Interior Design, Ryerson School of Interior Design
  • Becoming Dementia Friendly: Checklist for a physical environment, Alzhiemer Society
  • Tips on making your environment safe, Alzhiemer Society
• Dementia - Friendly Doorway Design - Interventions & Innovations (slides) Presenters: Jocelyn Hunt, B.A. Gerontology, CPG, CAPS; Environmental Gerontologist / Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist; Home Adaptation and Maintenance Program Manager; CHATS - Community & Home Assistance to Seniors; and Jennifer Blaik, B.R.L.S; Post Graduate Certificate Therapeutic Recreation; Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant,  The Regional Municipality of York
• Lighting and Dementia (slides), Frances Morton-Chang, MHSc, PhD(c), Gerontologist and Health Policy Researcher; and Stephanie Long-Riley, OT Reg. (Ont.), Sage Homes Owner/Consultant and RGP Outreach Clinician
  • Lighting: Partners in Quality Care Environments
• How to create Age-Friendly Communities through Setting New Parameters for Landscape Environmental Design (poster presentation), RCC Institute of Technology
• Let's Talk About Design and Dementia: Feedback on Design recommendations-  Presenter: Frances Morton-Chang, PhD(c ) Gerontologist, Health Policy Researcher: Slides, Question and Resource Handout, Recording 
• The Dementia-Friendly Design Series: Wayfinding- Presenters: Deb Bryson,B.Sc.(OT), OT Reg.(Ont.), PRC. and Jocelyn Hunt, B.A. Gerontology and Health Studies, PEC: Recording.
• The Dementia-Friendly Design Series: Noise - Presenters: Michelle Wolfenden, Manager, Business Development, Snyder & Associates Inc., John Swallow, M.A.Sc.,P.Eng LEED AP, Swallow Acoustic Consultants Ltd, Ken Hancock, P.Eng., Retired, Frances Morton-Chang, PhD(c ) Health Policy Gerontologist, Dementia Educator:  Presentation Handout & Video: Supporting Derek
• The Dementia-Friendly Design Series: Lighting - Presenters :Frances Morton-Chang, PhD(c ) Gerontologist, Health Policy Researcher and Leah Sadler, Associate Director of Education, MAREP:  Literature Review & Presentation Handout
• The Dementia-Friendly Design Series: Doorways - Presenters: Frances Morton-Chang, PhD(c ) Gerontologist, Health Policy Researcher and Deb Bryson,  B.Sc.(OT), OT Reg.(Ont.), Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant, Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton Presentation: Presentation Handout

Resources

• Creating a Senior Friendly Physical Environment in our Hospitals, Joanne O'Keeffe BSc, OT; Regional Geriatric Assessment Program of Ottawa. This article highlights the need for proactive hospital policies and procedures that can reduce the negative impact that length of stay can have on seniors functional abilities and ability to return home. 
• Clear Print Accessibility Guidelines, The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) accessibility services provides a Guide for Clear Print and Typeface Legibility for Low Vision Readers and their accompanying literature and research reviews. 
• At Home with Alzheimer's: Useful Adaptations to the Home Environment, Ottawa, ON: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. This website provides practical applications for safety and security for those with dementia and their partners in care living in the community. 
• ​Wayfinding Difficulties Among Elders with Dementia in an Assisted Living Residence, Eilon Caspi, Ph.D

Community of practice members share their expertise:

• Annotated bibliography prepared by Bill Benbow, a development consultant for senior's housing and care and a  community of practice member. These articles are specifically related to research and information on Wayfinding. For more Information please visit Bill's website. 
• Murray Alzheimer Resource Education Program (MAREP) - Community of practice member Jessica Luh-Kim is the Associate Director of Education at MAREP where they have a variety of tools and resources available.

Merging Research and Practice

• Knowledge to Action Study

For More Information

Interested in this topic? Contact us:

• Frances Morton-Chang, Frances Morton-Chang, MHSc, PhD., Co-Lead
• Deb Bryson, B.Sc.(OT), OT Reg.(Ont.), Co-Lead
• Members of the Community of Practice List