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.
To be the first to receive our latest posts sign up to our newsletter inKIND here.
Enjoy!
Welcome to the first inKIND of 2023! The year has started with a bang here at the de Fiddes office and we have been a very busy bunch indeed. The Xmas break certainly highlighted that we were all ready for some time off; too much stimulation and goings on can definitely lead to burnout! So when Pantone released their colour of year it got us thinking. Vivid Magenta: bold and beautiful, but how much is too much?
Read MoreCreativity is a part of everyone here in the office and we know it’s something we will never lose. This is certainly the case for Regis resident Chris Thomson. He is a very talented artist and it is great to see he is being supported and encouraged to continue his passion.
Read MoreWe were totally inspired by these amazing oldies that are fit, fabulous and showing that at any age you can learn new things, stay active and enjoy life. We loved this short film directed and shot by Veena Rao. This features a routine from the synchronised swimming group: The Honeys and Bears.
Read MoreWe all know there are nurse shortages in Aged Care, and so we were inspired by a government run initiative in Switzerland called ‘Time Banking’. Volunteers “deposit” hours worked looking after elderly people. In return they can use time saved up for their own care later in life. Read more here.
Read MoreLast month we talked about stimulation and creating indoor spaces with purpose. This month, thanks to our guest on DEB Talks, David Engwicht, we are talking about outdoor spaces with purpose! This month we are entranced by Civosity Park – this is the formal name of David’s own private front garden, turned public space. Complete with public library, generously donated sculptures and artworks, recliners and deck chairs, a play café, rocking horses and toys.
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 MoreWith Covid and the flu going around it was only a matter of time before we had to rest and recover. With everything going on we thought we would make this edition of inKIND light-hearted and whimsical for the end of Financial Year. So we have gathered our favourite TikToks from people over 80 on a range of topics.
Read MoreWhilst visiting a gallery is always a great day out, it is not always possible to do so. We love NGV’s virtual self-guided tours! This allows the watcher to ‘walk’ around the exhibitions and gallery halls. We are especially enjoying the Australian Impressionism Collection, She Oak and Sunlight. With over 250 works paired in thought provoking groups. Read our review and view the gallery!
Read MoreFamily – Comes in all shapes and sizes and no one family is the same. We all think ours is normal but as a famous quote by Les Dawson says “Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts”. This month, continuing with our trends, we are taking a deeper dive into wellness. Specifically how that relates to Family.
Read MoreThis month a book caught our eye by Doreen Wendt-Weir -’Gardening in your Nineties’, (the sequel to ‘Sex in your Seventies.’) It’s a fascinating memoir about learning to garden for the first time after her partner leaves. Weaved into it are recipes, musings, heartbreak and love. Doreen wrote this whilst she was in isolation.
Read MoreAt 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 MoreInclusivity can look like many things. Such as this competition, which asked aged care residents from VIC, QLD and NSW to submit an original painting, sketch, watercolour, photo or craft so the aged care provider could feature the design on their end of year greeting card range.
Read MoreWe know that a sense of community can provide a great source of connection and love for many but especially seniors living alone or in care. This feeling of community can come in many forms and we were especially inspired this month by Collective Wisdom, a fabulous new book by Grace Bonney which creates a living, breathing sense of community through the powerful words of wisdom from over 100 trailblazing women.
Read MoreHave you heard of Forest Therapy? The wonderful concept is a research- based public health practice of guided immersion in forests with the aim of promoting physical and mental health whilst relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Forest Therapy is gaining acknowledgment globally as evidence based, cost effective and natural medicine!
Read MoreA lot can happen in a century and few people within the fashion industry are able to witness the evolution of style the way Iris Apfel has. This month officially marks her 100th journey around the sun!
Read MoreThese fabulous photographs by Gary Monroe and Andy Sweet in the 1970’s of the ageing Miami community just make you smile.
Read MoreHave you heard of the Human Library!? The movement and now international organisation first started in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000. Using a library analogy of lending people rather than books, the movement aims to address prejudices by helping people talk to others they would not normally meet.
Read MoreOur Clinical Director Sam’s mother’s side of the family are from Holland so when she came across ‘Oma’s Applesauce’, she was moved by the strong similarities! Jason Van Genderen introduces us to family life with ‘Oma’ (Hendrika Van Genderen) who lives with dementia.
Read MoreMotivated by great food and living well, we feature two inspirational businesses this month - Cook with Diaspo and Pasta Grannies. Encouraging both young and old to get in the kitchen and cook for those we love!
Read MoreClose your eyes for a moment and listen to the world around you. If you’re outside, you can likely hear a range of sounds - the wind, traffic or snippets of conversations. Prompted by international hearing day on March 3rd, we are exploring sound and its important role in everyday life, for enjoyment and communication or for alerting us to danger.
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