The Future’s Looking Bright – Using Colour To Boost Health And Happiness In Rest Homes

Looking after mental wellbeing goes hand in hand with looking after physical wellbeing. When it comes to keeping rest home residents happy and healthy, this emotional wellbeing is incredibly important.

As people age certain things become more difficult. Some of these things, like mobility and eyesight, can affect the ability to do things we have done our entire life. Understandably, increased autonomy and a general sense of ease helps boost and sustain mental health.

There is a lot aged care facilities can do to make it easier for residents to enjoy independence and feel more at home. Reducing the challenges and confusion that residents often feel can be addressed through the use of colour and interior design.

This is especially true in managing the emotional wellbeing of dementia patients, who can become overwhelmed by stark, white walls or long, barren hallways. Often, there are simple (and colourful) ways to make things better.

It’s not just for the residents either. Attracting and retaining good staff is about far more than decent pay and the occasional birthday cake. Working in a well-designed and vibrant environment makes a massive difference in job satisfaction.

Here, we dive into some of the creative ways colour is used to make life better in aged care environments.

True colours

How tone affects mood

Want to feel relaxed and calm? Paint your room green. Want a boost in productivity? Red is your colour. A blue or purple room may leave you feeling sad or indifferent. While colour’s effect on people can vary widely, there is a lot of research linking colour and mood. It’s something interior designers tap into every time they go to work.

In aged care facilities the use of specific colours can help set the mood for specific rooms. Activity rooms where you want residents to feel stimulated are best painted in red shades. Yellow is a mood-booster and is a great colour to use in bathrooms, so residents feel their best. A stunning green bed cover can add a sense of calm and is a great way to relax at the end of the day.

Glowing terms

Not Every Colour Works

Using colour in rest homes requires careful consideration of all guests. While florals and pretty pinks on the walls may look amazing, please spare a thought for those, who may not appreciate spending their days surrounded by a rose garden!

Additionally, pinks and purples are considered stimulating colours and aren’t a good choice for rest and relaxation areas. A good way to spruce up a room without going as far as a complete colour change or full floral is to add an occasional chair. Choose a brightly coloured occasional chair and add some fun and happiness to a room.

It’s not all white

A home, not a hospital

While white walls may look clean and sharp there is evidence to suggest this colour scheme does little for people’s mood and comfort. As we age we also become more sensitive to glare and our eyesight is less accurate as it once was. A recent Dutch study found that over 40% of nursing home residents in the Netherlands are estimated to have visual impairments. New Zealand surely has similar figures.

A lack of colour variation not only affects comfort levels but can also impact the resident’s ability to orientate themselves within the space. When there is a lack of visual clues it can be hard to distinguish trip hazards, doorways or stairwells.

Colour me happy

Go beyond the wall

If it’s not practical to paint a lounge room green for relaxation it can be as simple as adding some furnishings instead. The simple use of colour on beds, couches or chairs can go a long way to enhancing the quality of mood. Relaxation can come in the form of soft linens or lush fabric pillows.

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Your quick-boost colour guide

A few simple ways to brighten up the colour scheme and brighten up the mood.

1. Don’t overdo white:

While ‘hospital white’ has been the go-to for most healthcare facilities for years it’s not a good option for those with vision and cognitive function challenges. White walls, doors and ceilings make it difficult for seniors to distinguish depth and spatial awareness. Use contrast between floors and walls to enhance 3D perception.

2. Different colours for different rooms:

Colour schemes can help identify the difference between rooms used for quiet relaxation and rooms which are stimulating spaces. Many aged care facilities use this method to help residents identify certain rooms by using distinguishing colours on doors.

3. Match mood to room:

A good way to help residents feel relaxed in their bedroom is the use of wall colour. Keep hallways subdued but make bedrooms warm and inviting. Attractive bedspreads, pillows and wall colours help with this.

4. Stay snug and safe:

Curtains and blinds give people a sense of security. As well as security, blinds and curtains provide a good excuse to add a burst of colour.

5. Bear in mind the mural:

Bright murals add the wow factor to any room. In rest homes, they can serve two purposes. A beautiful wall mural can boost the mood of those in the room and, for those with cognitive function issues, it can help keep them safe. Aged care facilities have had success in keeping dementia patients from wandering off by extending wall murals across doors, so they become ‘invisible’.

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The shift to a rest home can come with many emotional challenges. Every bit of good design that helps the overall aesthetic can help manage emotions. So don’t be afraid to splash a burst of colour or a dash of relaxation around.