Oct 28

Designing better environments for people living with aementia mate wareware

With an estimated 83,000 New Zealanders living with dementia, creating environments that support independence, dignity and wellbeing has never been more important.

The spaces around us influence how we navigate our daily lives, communicate with others and feel connected to our surroundings. For people living with dementia mate wareware, thoughtful design can help reduce confusion, support confidence and make everyday activities easier.

From improved lighting and clearer signage to thoughtful layouts, colour contrast and familiar surroundings, even relatively simple design changes can have a significant impact.

Building Knowledge Through Dementia Design Education

Developed in partnership by the University of Auckland, Alzheimers New Zealand and the Village Architect, the Dementia Design Aotearoa online courses explore how we can create more supportive, accessible and inclusive environments for people living with dementia mate wareware.

These courses bring together research, evidence-informed design principles and practical approaches to help professionals and organisations better understand how the built environment can influence everyday experiences, independence and wellbeing.

Whether you work in aged residential care, healthcare, architecture, design or community services, understanding dementia-friendly design can help you create spaces that promote independence, safety and quality of life.

Explore the Dementia Design Courses

Introduction to Dementia Design Aotearoa
Explore the foundations of dementia design and develop an understanding of how physical environments can influence the experiences and wellbeing of people living with dementia.
Dementia Design Aotearoa: Design Essentials
Build on foundational knowledge and explore practical dementia design considerations that can be applied across a range of environments.

Creating Environments That Enable

Dementia-friendly design is about more than making spaces accessible. It is about creating environments that recognise personhood, support choice and enable people living with dementia mate wareware to continue participating in everyday life.
By strengthening our understanding of dementia design, we can contribute to more inclusive communities and environments where people feel comfortable, connected and supported.