PhD by Research An Investigation into the Positive Effects of Interior Design in Care Homes for People

Living with Dementia

Investigator: Dina Al Qusous Supervisors: Anastasia Karandinou, Renée Tobe

This thesis investigates care environments in different cultures, and more specifically different care services in the Western Region and the Middle Eastern/North African Region. Through three selected case studies - each in a different country –the cultural context and differences, traditions around care, prejudices, and assumptions will be examined and discussed. The first case study is The Hogeweyk - Dementia Village in Weesp, the Netherlands which was chosen as the main case studies in care for dementia in this thesis because of its multiple services for the residents. The village was designed in a way to create a community for those with dementia who can walk freely around the space without fear of getting lost or injured due to the detailing of safety that has been taken into consideration when creating the environment.

The second case study, Harmonia Village, located in Dover, United Kingdom was chosen as it was actually inspired by The Hogewyk, Dementia Village. These two care villages located in the Western region are then compared to a care home located in Kuwait, The Farah Specialist Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Elderly. The third case study was chosen to show how one of the richest countries in the MENA region establishes care for older people and how traditional and religious values are linked to care services. Awareness of dementia is low to none in this region hence why different services such as home care are much more applicable for dementia users. Modifying one’s environment in order to fit their needs and to adjust it with their lifestyle can help lessen the confusion and distress in their everyday lives. Fortunately, throughout the years, more people are paying attention to designing elderly institutes that are associated for patients with dementia, especially in the UK. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most countries across the world, and especially countries in the Middle East.