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Speaking Engagements in 2008:

Dementia Care Update 2008
19 March, Pollock Halls, University of Edinburgh
"Connection to nature: Unleashing the potential for health and happiness"

For info visit: www.careinfo.org

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PRIMARY CARE 2008
21-22 MAY 2008 NEC, Birmingham
"Reconnecting people with dementia to the natural world"

For info visit: www.primarycare2008.co.uk

Content of the session:
Benefits of nature for people with dementia and ways to achieve it through design of the physical and social aspects of the care environment.
Learning Outcomes:
How the care environment can be designed to support a person’s needs for sensory stimulation and meaningful activity.

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Designing for a Quality Life:
The New Dementia Care Environment
Wednesday, Sept 3rd 2008

Alzheimer’s Society Central Lancashire & Fylde Branch
Annual Open Meeting
Preston

Overview
What we should expect from a caring environment using examples from good practice and research.

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Design for Nature in Dementia Care
Thursday, Oct 9th 2008
Darnall Dementia Group AGM
Sheffield

Overview
Design can enable a person to have a healthy, shared and meaningful engagement with the natural world. Drawing from his own research and design projects, the speaker will demonstrate why connection to nature is an essential ingredient of an enjoyable life, and especially therapeutic for people with dementia.

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Back to Nature: Design the New Old Fashioned Way
Friday, Oct 24th 2008
Age Concern, Central Lancs AGM
Preston

For info visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk/CentralLancashire

Overview
Nature is an essential ingredient of an enjoyable life. A healthy, shared and meaningful engagement with the great outdoors is something we grew up with, and we expect to grow old with as well. Drawing from his own research and design projects, the speaker will show how this can be achieved and why it is especially therapeutic for a person with dementia.

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Architecture and Connection to Nature: Examples in Dementia Care
Friday, Nov 7th 2008
SCALA 2008
Nottingham

For info visit: www.scala.org.uk
(pdf file)

Overview
People with dementia in residential and nursing care environments can often experience separation from the natural world as a consequence of building design and/or care practice. The author will present research evidence in support of connection to nature and give some design principles that facilitate healthy connections, and help prevent loss of self-identity, social role and citizenship. Principles will be illustrated using the example of a renovated former local authority residential care home in central Lancashire which has been transformed into a community resource centre for older people’s mental health. The building includes health services as well as an enhanced day centre for people with dementia. Design modifications included improved daylighting and access, as well as an innovative set of garden areas – 7 meaningful spaces. Further examples will include design projects in both the private and voluntary sectors.

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