Making aged care facilities accessible
If your facility is planning a new building or major renovation, we would encourage you to contact the RNZFB for specific advice on accessibility.
Phone 0800 24 33 33 option one or email general@rnzfb.org.nz
Many older people experience some degree of vision loss. Following these tips will help people with vision loss to move around the aged care facility, increasing dignity, self-esteem and independence. These tips are aimed at existing facilities making small, inexpensive changes to the way rooms are organised.
Environmental factors include: Colour and contrast, lighting and size. Size is most relevant to accessible print, for example, signage. Contact RNZFB for more information on accessible print documents.
A useful building standard is NZS 4121:2001: design for access and mobility - buildings and associated facilities. Standards can be purchased from www.standards.co.nz/services/default.htm.
The comments in the Information Pack For Aged Care Facility Managers expands on NZS 4121 to provide specific examples of useful design practices for people with some degree of vision loss.
Colour and contrast
Some people with vision loss have a reduced ability to differentiate between colours. Colours which are similar in hue or brightness can appear to be the same. Designing with strong colour contrast makes it easier for people to move around and understand the environment in your facility.
For example:
- Walls and floors should be in clearly contrasting colours.
- The colour of doors or door architraves should contrast to the walls and handles should contrast with doors.
- If the flooring and wall colours are similar then the skirting boards, doors and other trims can be painted in a contrasting colour. However, this option does not always provide as much visual information.
- Furniture and furnishings should contrast with the background. For example, if chairs are permanently placed against a wall, choose a chair colour that contrasts with the wall colour. Curtains should contrast with walls.
- Glass doors, walls or partitions should have contrasting markings at an appropriate height to increase visibility (see the standard NZS 4121 for details). These markings should be in a colour that provides high contrast, not in a glass etched style that cannot be seen against the background.
- Strong patterns in carpets and wall coverings create visual clutter and can be confusing or distressing for people with certain eye conditions. Choose plain coloured or small, subtle patterns for carpet and wall coverings.
- Some eye conditions can cause sensitivity to glare, such as light reflecting off shiny lino flooring. All materials should have a non reflective finish to avoid creating glare.
Lighting
- The optimum lighting for a partially sighted person varies depending upon each person’s eye condition.
- Most people who are older require greater levels of lighting than younger people.
- Dim ‘mood’ lighting makes it much harder for people with vision loss to see so make sure your facility is well lit.
- Keep lighting levels the same throughout the building as it takes much longer for older people to adjust to changes in lighting levels. Some partially sighted people may have particular difficulty.
- In bedrooms, adjustable shades over windows and dimmer switches enable greater control for differing levels of light.
- Maximise natural lighting. Think carefully about how much light is blocked by net curtains and louver or vertical blinds and try to keep windows clean.• Avoid glare; sources of light should not be visible. Use non-reflective materials for surfaces such as benches or tables. People who have photophobia (light sensitivity) often have aids such as special glasses to assist with controlling glare.
- You may wish to use energy efficient light bulbs to cut electricity costs, but be aware that they can take time to warm up and some types cannot be used with dimmer switches.
- Lighting can highlight hazards such as stairs or ramps.
Stairs, lifts and ramps
- It is important to ensure that stairs, lifts and ramps are safe and easy for people with vision loss to use. Well designed stairs, lifts and ramps can promote independence, increase exercise and help to reduce falls.
- Consult NZS 4121 for specific information on accessible staircases, lifts and ramps.
Moving around
- Avoid placing objects where they interrupt the path of travel. For example, chairs or side tables in the path of travel in corridors, leaving wheelchairs or walkers in the way, or armchairs in the path of travel in lounges.
- Think carefully about the needs of a person using a cane for mobility - can they detect all the objects in their way? Something like an open bathroom cabinet door might not be detected by a cane as it might be too far off the floor.
- Automatic doors need to be timed to allow less mobile persons to get through safely. They should be very reactive to touch when an object is encountered. See NZ4121 for details.
- Mats or flooring that provide visual and tactile contrast with the rest of the flooring surface assist with locating the entrance and exit. Mats should be flush with the floor finish to prevent falls.
- Keep doors either fully open or fully shut if they are in the path of travel.
Signage
- Take the time to make sure your signage is accessible. Small changes in design and placement can make all the difference for people with vision loss. Some options include large print, braille, and tactile signs.
- Detailed accessible signage guidelines are available from the RNZFB at http://www.rnzfb.org.nz/about/business-services/environmental-design-advisory or phone 0800 24 33 33 or email general@rnzfb.org.nz.
Dining
- Avoid glass mugs or plates as they are hard to see on the table. Also glass mugs are less helpful for people with vision loss as they heat up evenly so they do not give the user hints as to the level of the hot drink in the mug.
- Try to use place mats, table cloths and tables that are not strongly patterned but which contrast with cutlery and crockery. For example, use a white plate and silver cutlery on a plain dark blue placemat.
- Keep tables free of clutter such as flower arrangements.
- Put condiments in the same place each time in strongly contrasting containers.
- Make sure the dining room is well lit with lights over the tables.
- Aim to reduce glare for example by covering shiny table surfaces.
Bathrooms
- There is a trend towards bathrooms that are all one pale colour. This makes it difficult for many people with vision loss to navigate. Consider attractive design options which include contrasting colours, for instance between the floors and walls.
- Features such as cubicle doors, urinals, toilets, basins, soap dispensers, towel/ drier, toilet roll holder, grab rails and light switches should contrast with their immediate background.
- Use matt surfaces to avoid glare, for instance do not use shiny wash basins.
- Bathrooms should be brightly and evenly lit.
- NZS 4121 provides more detail about accessible bathrooms.
Bedrooms
- Think contrast - avoid decorating the room as a sea of pale colours, for instance cream walls and pale beige carpet.
- Choose plain colours or small subtle patterns for items like bedspreads and curtains. Strong patterns can be visually uncomfortable and make location of items difficult.
- Ensure glare from windows can be managed without losing too much natural light.
- Remember lighting requirements can vary a lot among people with vision loss - talk to people about their needs. The RNZFB has good task lights for close work available for a small cost.
