Corridor/Mural Ideas - Giedre

One of the ideas we discussed was a mural, which I am particularly interested in. I gave a suggestion that this could be of relaxing nature theme and would help the elderly people with dementia feel at ease.

According to one study, “Exposure to nature via green exercise can be conceived of as a readily available therapy with no obvious side effects.” 82.2% of surveyors agreed that “Human well-being can depend on contact with nature”.

Looking up some ways to help people with dementia a key finding for me was that providing reassurance helps the patient. Use calming phrases such as: “You’re safe here;” “I’m sorry that you are upset;” and “I will stay until you feel better.” Let the person know you are there.

After key findings of how nature can positively affect people with dementia, it would be a good idea to create a mural with nature elements and encouraging, supportive phrases such as: I will be there for you, I understand, with perhaps a bright green colour background, some flowers, trees and other nature elements. This would give a calming environment for the patients and provide the much-needed reassurance.

There have been many projects with doors painted over to help dementia patients in navigating through hallways, but my vision is to make something a little different but something that truly works. To make this work in a group we could all use our wide skillset to create a big collage, which could be printed and installed on the wall. Some of us could draw out the outlines of the mural, then trace it in Adobe Illustrator, some create patterns, making everyone able to take their part.

With the corridor being quite narrow, there might not be space for an interactive mural, however if the idea is possible then some flowerpots in between or laser cut wood that could be in shape of trees and imitate the texture of a real tree may give a pleasant sensory experience for the patients.