Proud to be Dementia Friends

Within the construction industry, there are multiple opportunities to be Dementia Friendly whether in the actual way that we work or the design decisions that are made. We believe that taking action when these opportunities arise will help people who are living with Dementia.

Some examples of how we turn our knowledge into action:

• Knowing which textures and colour combinations can cause visual disorientation
• Understanding how things like lighting and signage can help to prevent confusion or distress
• We can better anticipate situations and risk assess more effectively
• When necessary, our teams can interact appropriately in a way that will be beneficial and cause minimal distress
• Extra knowledge about Dementia allows us to feel more confident when we are interacting with residents, that we are doing this in the correct way with all due respect

Horizon Building Contractors specialise in renovations. refurbishments and new builds of Care Homes (or Nursing Homes). Care and Nursing Homes offer 24hour support and healthcare for their residents. Due to the constant duty of care required by our care sector clients, our building and construction teams are often working in ‘live’ environments. This means that we are conducting our work around the daily lives and routines of care home residents and staff.

To start this journey we sought out advice from The Alzheimers Society who recommended the Dementia Friends Programme. We have since signed up to the Dementia Friendly Housing Charter to ensure that we are operating in a way that benefits, not only our clients but also the end users of our client’s services – at all times. This extra level of understanding is one part of how we ensure that Horizon’s team consistently work with the utmost care and consideration in care home environments.