Wayfinding in Elderly Care

Wayfinding refers to the use of various visual cues that allow people to know exactly where they are in a building and to quickly figure out how to get to where they want to go. It is especially effective for elderly people suffering from effects of early dementia.

Architectural Cues

• The principle of wayfinding uses lighting, signs and sight lines on walls and floors to help people find their way around a large building. Having such landmarks allows patients suffering from the beginnings of dementia to navigate better in large spaces.

Wayfinding: Not Just Inside!

• Wayfinding is not limited to the inside of buildings. Landscape can be used to create obvious paths toward building entrances. Awnings and even large sculptures can also serve as obvious markers to building entrances.

Setbacks

• The point of wayfinding as it relates to elderly care is to provide an environment in which people won't become disoriented. Ineffective techniques are expensive and frustrating to patients if they need to rely on finding and asking staff for help in getting around.