Artwork to Enhance the Senior Living Experience Our goal at Kurt Johnson Photography is to provide meaningful artwork that creates comfort, familiarity, and a sense of security. Through our years of experience, we have learned the following important points to note when choosing art for the senior population: 1. As eyesight worsens, pastels are harder and harder to see. Choose imagery with bright, happy colors such as red, orange, yellow, bright blue and bright green, with crisp lines and simple subject matter.
2. Indigenous photography, whether landscapes of a certain locale or landmark, creates familiarity, which can lead to calmness. We can photograph custom, on-location imagery for your facility, or you can choose from the thousands of photographs already in our library.
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Artwork can double as way finding. Hallways in senior living facilities often look alike, so create themes with your artwork, such as locale, color palettes, or plant type, so that your residents can so that residents have an easier time finding their way.
4. Artwork that is distorted, impressionistic, or lonely can create stress and discomfort.
Evidence-Based Design and the Positive Effect of Nature-Based Art in Healthcare Evidence-based design, or EBD, is a field of study emphasizing credible evidence to influence design. This approach has become popular in healthcare, as it improves patient and staff well being, patient healing, stress levels and safety. A portion of EBD studies suggest that the use of nature-based artwork in healthcare has a positive influence on patient outcomes as well. This research suggests that nature art (or art with views or representations of nature) will promote restoration if it contains the following features: calm or slowly moving water, verdant foliage, flowers, foreground spatial openness, and park-like qualities. Ulrich, R. S., & Gilpin, L. (2003). “Kurt Johnson Photography provided a Nebraska landscape theme of artwork for Brookestone View (new senior living facility) in Broken Bow, NE. The residents and visitors LOVE the way the photographed art has meaning and draws them into each piece. The residents can relate to the scenes of farm life as they reminisce with family members about the good life in Nebraska. Artwork is one key element that helps seniors be engaged and enjoy their surroundings. Kurt Johnson Photography created hallways full of beautifully photographed art that adds life to the walls of our residents’ new home. The artwork is definitely the view at Brookestone View!“ - Mary Matuszeski, Interior Designer at Vetter Health Services.
Our Process We are committed to contributing to exceptional environments through our photography to deliver a best-of-class solution. To that end, we will make certain we understand your goals and objectives, and use our knowledge of evidence-based design and research to contribute to your organization’s desired patient experience. We provide art consultative services as well as transport, delivery, and installation.
Contact us to get started carolyn@kurtjohnsonphotography.com 402.290.1226 www.kurtjohnsonphotography.com
Kurt Johnson Photography Installation at Brookstone View