A “dementia-friendly” park or public space is truly accessible when it is designed to support the unique needs of people living with dementia, helping them feel safe, comfortable, and engaged. Key features include clear, continuous walking paths that loop back to entrances, allowing easy navigation without confusion or fear of getting lost. These paths should be wide, flat, and smooth to accommodate mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs, reducing physical barriers.
Safety is paramount, so fencing or boundaries should be secure yet unobtrusive, camouflaged to avoid a prison-like feel but high enough to prevent wandering into unsafe areas. Gates should be discreetly locked or alarmed to protect without causing distress. Seating areas placed along paths and in quiet spots provide places to rest or socialize, giving people choices between activity and calm reflection.
Raised garden beds and accessible planting areas encourage interaction with nature without the need to bend or kneel, which can be difficult for many seniors. These “life stations” stimulate positive memories and provide sensory engagement through touch, smell, and sight. Natural materials and soothing colors create a calming environment, while plenty of natural light helps regulate sleep patterns and mood.
The design also respects independence by offering spaces for both social interaction and solitude, supporting emotional well-being and a sense of control. Family involvement and community activities in these spaces further enhance connection and joy for people with dementia.
In essence, a dementia-friendly park balances safety, accessibility, sensory stimulation, and emotional support, making it a welcoming place where people with dementia can move freely, engage meaningfully, and feel at ease.
