de Fiddes are excited to introduce you to our new blog page! This is a place where we plan to share our thoughts and reviews on design, architecture, products and the latest cutting edge research.
Our team will be posting regularly on de Fiddes projects, review new and exciting innovations, pass on to you the latest education, share and promote notes of inspiration and show you some fabulous photos from our interior fit outs. Keep up to date on latest products in the market, articles of interest and research findings from our Managing Director, Debbie de Fiddes.
Our blog will not only be an example of what keeps the team at de Fiddes committed to being at the forefront of innovation but a fun place to collect and seek ideas, advice for all things design and even just to share whatever is on our minds.
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Enjoy!
Welcome to the first DEB Talk of the year!
Join Deb as she asks the question: to Stimulate or not to Stimulate? Deb takes a deep dive into the Pantone colour of the year: Vivid Magenta. Plus what role colour plays in aged care environments, colour science and how this relates to stimulation.
The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) recently launched the ‘Environments for Ageing and Dementia Design Assessment Toolkit.’ (EADDAT) This range of resources provides evidence based research and checklists for families and businesses to use to make places more accessible for an ageing population, and those living with dementia.
Read MoreWatch Part 1 of our video interview with David Engwicht. Join him and Deb as they talk about outdoor spaces with purpose, discuss what is placemaking and talk about his project in Brisbane. This includes a great initiative asking visitors to aged care facilities: ‘has your loved one had 15 minutes outside today?’
Read MoreNestled at the centre of multiple apartment buildings, this is a public Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden in Port Macquarie NSW. The garden is filled with high blooming flowers, sculptures, pick and sniff herbs, textures, pebbles, benches with sandpits and a bubbling brook.
Read MoreThis month we have been looking at stimulating activities and the spaces which facilitate them, and as a result combat boredom. We found this great digital book club for residents and those with Dementia. Hearthside Book Club. Read our review!
Read MoreStimulating activities come in all shapes and sizes. Virtual Reality is all the rage right now and it’s positives for aged care includes conversation starters, movement, memory and exploration. We have found a great headset with specialised content for aged care from an Australian company - NeuronsVR.
Read MoreThis month on Deb Talks, Deb sits down with Julian Goddard, Honorary professor at the School of Art at RMIT, Melbourne where he was Dean until 2019. He is the founder and chair of the Australian Centre for Concrete Art. Join them as they talk all things art, dementia, aged care and art therapy.
Read MoreArt therapy is one of the most valuable things you can do for your mental health and overall wellbeing. We found this online art and dementia tool kit by Artful. It contains 10 activities designed for people living with dementia. Read our review here.
Read MoreOutdoors have always been in, but never more so than now. More evidence is coming out regarding the importance of a connection to nature, for everyone, but especially those living in aged care.
We were interested to read a study from the Netherlands, that asked whether challenging behaviour in Nursing Home Residents (Including those with Dementia) changed because of the COVID-19 quarantine measures.
What was found is incredibly interesting and surprising!
At de Fiddes we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovative design. We have been creating enabling environments for residential, retirement, dementia and disability care for over 28 years; we know a thing or two (or three or four) about what works and what doesn’t! Our experience has informed our list of findings for the ‘2022 de Fiddes Design Trends for Aged Care.’
Read MoreMorrison government is offering a $150 tax write off before June 30th. Now is the time to upgrade your space. As specialists in aged care and dementia design, de Fiddes is uniquely placed to audit, fit out and clinically review our most vulnerable aged care homes.
We are running meetings via skype and it's all business as usual here!
Emotional Support is critical for all of us. One of our most basic needs as human beings is connection with other people and we know that when you enter residential aged care quite often that connection is limited.
Recently we were sent some information on a wonderful sensory device called HUG by LAUGH® We all know how important it is to receive a hug and how that makes you feel.
Read MoreWith the growing numbers of people living with dementia, it is anticipated we will see increased Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia or BPSD.
Read MoreA program in Colorado called ‘Granny Does Graffiti’ arose from the concept that both street art and memory are fleeting. Programs such as these explore memories and pathways in the brain for creativity and engagement.
Read MoreWe know Memory boxes have been used in aged care facilities for some time but finding one that is secure, hardwearing and aesthetically pleasing is no easy task.
Read MoreAs we age, we can experience memory lapses and forget things from time to time. However, this is different to the persistent and progressive memory loss associated with dementia.
Read MoreBibliotherapy, simply put, it is the use of literature to help people deal with their ailments. Information is emerging on the positive impact it may have on the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Internationally recognised, bibliotherapy involves the provision of carefully selected and evaluated books (fiction and non-fiction) and poetry.
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