Rethinking design for dementia-friendly spaces in care homes

Sunlight, shade and safety: Rethinking design for dementia-friendly spaces in care homes

Alain black background 2

Alain Vandecauter

Business Development Manager, Somfy Belux

Alain is Business Development Manager bij Somfy Belux, verantwoordelijk voor België en Luxemburg. Met behulp van Dynamic Solar Shading (DSS) optimaliseert hij het daglichtbeheer in niet-residentiële gebouwen, met een duidelijke focus op mensen en duurzaamheid. Volgens Alain dwingt klimaatverandering ons om de manier waarop we gebouwen ontwerpen fundamenteel te herzien. DSS is daarbij geen luxe meer, maar een noodzaak. Hij heeft een sterke affiniteit met de zorgsector en speelde een actieve rol in de integratie van DSS-oplossingen in ziekenhuizen en woonzorgcentra in de Belux-regio.

Introduction

It is often said that sunlight is the best disinfectant. It can lift the mood and positively influence how we experience the spaces where we live and work.

 

But too much sunlight can be harmful. Rising temperatures and extreme weather are becoming more common. Heatwaves are now a serious risk. As the climate changes, we must focus on protecting the most vulnerable in our society. 

 

In care homes, rising temperatures are turning bright spaces into stifling ones. For residents with dementia, this isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. Heat can increase agitation, disrupt sleep, and strain already fragile health. And for staff, this can also mean added stress and an uncomfortable workplace, whilst providing around-the-clock care for their patients.

 

Alain Vandecauter explores the challenges care homes face and highlights solutions that can bring comfort, safety and care to ensure the optimum dementia-friendly environment.

The problem with older buildings in a growing care sector

The care sector both in Europe is growing. In the Belux region, Belgium leads with more than 148,000 beds for nursing and residential care. While modern facilities are being developed, many care homes will still operate from older buildings. These include converted residential buildings, former hospitals, or purpose-built facilities constructed several decades ago.

Older buildings weren’t designed for today’s climate. Often designed with natural ventilation in mind and positioned to gain maximum solar gains, older buildings with large, unshaded windows trap heat. Window design is often outdated and only open from one side, resulting in poor airflow.

The materials used in older buildings can also be an issue. Solid brick or stone tends to absorb and retain heat during the day, slowly releasing it at night. While this can be beneficial in some climates, it can also exacerbate overheating during prolonged hot spells. In addition, building codes and regulations have changed and many of these buildings may no longer meet the standards of a modern new build.

Retrofitting an older building to meet modern standards can be expensive and complex. Upgrades to improve energy efficiency, such as adding insulation or making buildings more airtight to reduce winter heat loss, can inadvertently reduce natural ventilation and increase the risk of overheating if not managed carefully.

In dementia care, routine and comfort are crucial. And overheating during a heatwave can be dangerous. People with dementia often can’t explain how they feel. They may not show signs of heat stress clearly. This means staff must stay alert. They need to keep residents cool, hydrated, and safe from heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. This also has a direct impact on staff who face increased workloads and are also in danger of dehydration and heat-related illness.

What modern climate-resilient building design should look like

As we plan for the future of building design—especially in elder care facilities—preventing overheating must be a top priority. Several key design features can help create safer, more comfortable spaces.

1. Passive Cooling Techniques

Natural ventilation, thermal mass, and effective shading reduce the need for mechanical cooling. These elements work together to maintain stable indoor temperatures.

2. High-Quality Insulation and Materials

Using insulation and materials that reflect heat—rather than absorb it—is essential from the design stage. Features like cool roofs and reflective coatings can significantly lower indoor temperatures.

3. Efficient Windows and Shading

Double-glazed windows with low-emissivity (Low-e) coatings help minimise heat gain. External shading, such as awnings or shutters, should become standard. Incorporating dynamic solar shading also improves comfort, enabling the control of light and shade within buildings. By making decisions about shading at the design stage, dynamic solar shading can be tailored to the building, with considerations

4. Green Roofs and Walls

These features aren’t just visually appealing—they provide natural cooling, reduce heat absorption, and improve air quality.

5. Smarter Layouts

Long, enclosed corridors trap heat and limit airflow. Instead, designs should prioritise open spaces with access to natural light and fresh air.

By integrating these elements, care homes can better protect residents—especially during heat waves—and create healthier, more resilient environments.

Solutions care home operators should consider now

Retrofitting dynamic solar solutions onto existing care home properties is a fairly simple, but effective solution, which can significantly improve comfort for residents and energy efficiency in buildings.

Start by assessing the current building’s orientation, window sizes and existing shading solutions. The areas with the most solar gains are the ones suitable for shading.

Using professional advice, select materials that are durable and effective in reflecting heat. Through automation, light and shade can be adjusted on real-time weather conditions and the needs of care home residents. The noise levels of the shades moving up and down automatically should also be a key consideration for dementia-friendly environments. Any changes to the indoor environment can affect dementia sufferers. Therefore, if you have five or six blinds moving up and down throughout the day, choose solutions that emit the least noise.

Retrofitting requires careful planning. Existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be considered. The same goes for current building management systems. This ensures automated shading can be integrated smoothly, using professional installers.

The need to rethink how we design and adapt care homes is no longer optional—it’s urgent. The effects of climate change, extreme weather and extreme heat are already here. Overheating is a serious health risk, especially for the elderly and those living with dementia. But with thoughtful design, we can do more than just respond to rising temperatures—we can get ahead of them. From passive cooling to smart shading and better building materials, the tools already exist. And although retrofitting older buildings can be complex, solutions like dynamic solutions can make a big impact. The challenge now is to prioritise them. Because in care environments, comfort is care—and smart design can save lives.