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!
Seniors entering residential aged care may be faced with changes in their mealtime regime. Studies have shown that eating well is linked to quality of life and when residents are able to choose from a menu, satisfaction with food service increases.
Read MoreIn a presentation at an Australian Association of Gerontology conference, I spoke about one of my research studies where noise was a frequently occurring element to be considered when undertaking minor refurbishments.
Read MoreAs part of my PhD research I undertook a narrative review to look at the literature to see which minor refurbishment elements appeared - and how frequently. Wayfinding was the fourth most common element, surfacing in 65% of the publications that were included in the study1. It is an important and often misunderstood element. Read on to find out more about wayfinding.
Read MoreBeing community minded is a familiar concept to Australians with many stories shared of communities gathering to help each other when faced with national disasters such as bush fires and drought. deFiddes are doing their part in 2021 by working with Starting Over Support.
Read MoreWe continue to be moved by stories of people who despite their age, pandemics and many other challenges; are truly inspirational. Famous or not famous, they have wonderful stories to tell.
Read MoreHuman rights and dignity are elements we all hold dear and yet this is often not afforded for people living with dementia. There is many a struggle in fighting injustices whilst promoting competencies. Several international experts had much to say on this at the launch of the Alzheimer World Report 2020 - particularly when it comes to design…
Read MoreThe World Alzheimer Report 2020 has just been released. Titled Design, Dignity, Dementia: dementia-related design and the built environment, the report includes design progress to date, best practice, pioneers and innovators, design principles, regional and cultural contexts, and case studies across two volumes.
We had the pleasure of visiting and evaluating Killara in Northam which was a GBA Architects project that featured in Volume 2 of this report. Of the 84 case studies presented, 14 came from Australia so congratulations to Gary Batt and his team at GBA Architects on this achievement!
You may recall de Fiddes and RAAFA Meadow Springs Estate went green and collaborated on a refurbishment project with a difference. Our project has been nominated for an award!!
We are proud that our innovation, savings and outcomes have been recognised in the National Retirement Living Awards 2020 as the sole Western Australian finalist in the Interior Design category.
Whilst 'wellbeing' is generally considered the experience of health, happiness and sense of purpose1, it is important to realise that it also encompasses you as a whole to combine your physical, mental, social and emotional states2.
Clinical psychologists Dr Matthew Whalley and Dr Hardeep Kaur have created a free resource on helping maintain wellbeing in these uncertain times.
Often a decision is made to refurbish or to improve one part of an aged care facility at a time – such as a house or a wing. This can involve structural works to remove walls, add walls, reconfigure bathrooms or kitchens or it can simply be replacement of furnishings such as flooring and chairs.
Our considerable combined years of expertise in this area ensures we have good tips to share before you embark on your project!
It’s been often debated whether to install carpet or vinyl flooring in residential aged care facilities. Some people are drawn to the domestic appearance and softness of carpet whereas others consider vinyl to be an easier product for maintenance. Let’s get down to it and look at the difference between the two and maybe the solution to the conundrum is simpler than you think!
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 MoreI recently had the privilege of working with several experts in aged care environments from all over the world in a research study. I was humbled by the breadth of their knowledge and willingness to share their views on a selection of environment assessment tools in the context of refurbishing residential aged care facilities.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to let you know that we have officially been published in the journal of Aging and Social Change!
Read MoreSensory enriched environments are familiar to many aged care organisations with some providing sensorial specific rooms using concepts similar to Snoezelen. However, is there too much emphasis on visual stimulation and high technology equipment in these rooms? A fascinating study shows there is more to flashing lights to provide meaningful sensory input.
Read MorePoor design is a barrier to accessing products and services for at least five million Australians! A body of work by the Centre for Inclusive Design has resulted in a resource called The Benefit of Designing for Everyone.
Read MoreWhilst Warrigal won the ACSA National Award for Aged Care Provider of the Year in 2018, did you know they were awarded the Excellence in Sustainability Award in 2017 and are the first aged care provider to be Gold partner in NSW’s Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme? Read on to find out more about how Warrigal committed to achieving real environmental improvements!
Read MoreIdentity can be defined in a social or a personal context. Social identity considers how people see or define themselves in relation to a social group. It can also be how others see us. Personal identity is based on the unique attributes distinguishing individuals from others.
Read MoreAnna Wolf and Alex Bahar-Fuchs from the University of Melbourne recently wrote an article in The Conversation titled “An impaired sense of smell can signal cognitive decline, but ‘smell training’ could help” to explain that as we get older, we can experience problems with the sense of smell.
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.
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