When we think about dementia, the conversation typically centers around memory loss. The most widely recognised symptom, it is the single lens that frequently influences research, technology, and environments the most.

However, the impact of dementia is much more multilayered; it fundamentally alters how the brain perceives and processes the physical world.

The BRIDGES Network+ recently hosted an online experiential workshop led by Grace Stead from Enrichment for the Elderly. The highly interactive session challenged researchers and technology providers to expand their understanding of dementia-inclusivity when forming new designs, prototypes, and studies.

The central lesson we learned from the workshop is that the sensory challenges experienced by people living with dementia may be caused by changes in how the brain interprets the visual input it receives of their dementia rather than due to physical changes in the eyes.  Grace encouraged participants to try and visualise what the world may be like with these impairments, and how this limits the daily life of people with dementia.

The surrounding environment can become a maze of misinterpretations when the brain’s processing power is altered. For creators, engineers, and researchers, this means standard design principles must be rethought:

• Beyond the Written Word: Because visual processing is compromised, relying entirely on reading or text-based information can introduce major barriers. Researchers need to present information in more diverse ways.
• The Impact of Patterns: Everyday patterns on carpets, walls, or fabrics can become disorienting. A striped floor might look like a series of barriers, or a dark rug might be perceived as a deep hole in the ground.
• Colour Contrast: Contrast can be strategically beneficial. Without it, objects like doors, tableware, or digital interfaces blend into the background, leading to frustration and a loss of independence.

Seeing the world around them from the perspective of a person with dementia, and understanding the sensory and cognitive challenges they face, creators can move past basic accommodations and begin developing genuinely accessible spaces and innovative tools. Designing with visual perception in mind can significantly improve daily life and empower people with dementia to live independently.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Grace Stead for sharing her time, expertise, and vital insights with our research community.