CLIENT
   Name: The Curae Aged Care
   Contact Information: curae@agedcare.com.au
   The Curae Aged Care Group is an organisation that specifically cater for those who are     still physically abled but challenged by mental diseases such as Alzheimer's and           Dementia. The foundation of their organisation 

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS 
   Technology
        •    Virtual Reality programs for therapeutic and recreational use 
        •    Artificial Intelligence programs for therapeutic and recreational use
        •  Access to Pets 
        •  Accessible Design
        •  Incorporation of Nature
        •  Non-pharmacological therapies

PROPOSED GUEST SPACES

The Curae Aged Care facility contains:
•    Single room w/ bathroom 
•    Single adjoining room w/ bathroom
•    Multi-purpose rooms for non-pharmaceutical therapy & activities 
•    Open-plan living room  
•    Open-plan dining room
•    Industrial kitchen
•    Community garden 
•    Visitor’s reception & public toilets
 
RESEARCH
Seven stages of dementia are identified by the level of cognitive decline and symptoms experienced:
1.    No impairment
2.    Very mild cognitive 
•    typical age-related memory problems
3.    Mild cognitive decline
•    impaired work performance
•    increased memory loss
•    verbal repetition
•    poor organisation
•    trouble with problem solving
•    potential increased difficulty with driving 
4.    Moderate cognitive decline
•    social withdrawal
•    occurrence of mood swings
•    potential non-responsiveness
•    trouble completing routine tasks
•    denial of their diagnosis 
5.    Moderately severe cognitive decline
•    increased confusion 
•    memory loss of personal details and current events
•    reduced mental acuity and problem solving
6.    Severe cognitive decline
•    potential inability to activities of daily living (ADL’s) by themselves
7.    Very severe cognitive decline
•    sever motor and communication impairment
•    potential loss of speech and movement
There are many beneficial non-pharmacological therapies for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients:  
•    Validation therapy
•    Reality Orientation therapy
•    Reminiscence therapy
•    Sensory therapies
•    Art therapy
•    Music therapy
•    Aromatherapy
•    Touch therapy
•    Garden Therapy
•    Cognitive behavioural therapy 
The most effective therapy methods, and the ones that will be incorporated into the Curae Aged Care facility, are sensory therapies, garden therapy, cognitive behavioural therapies and reality orientation therapy. Quality of life for dementia patients can be improved efficiently through these therapies, proper management of their symptoms and a caring living environment. 

Snoezelen rooms are multi-sensory environments that utilise lighting effects, touch, music and aromas to stimulate the senses. These environments can be used as a form of therapy in multiple different scenarios. As you would be dealing with elderly and cognitively impaired patients within an aged care facility, the traditional Snoezelen rooms concept would need to be altered to fit their needs. Dementia patients are often disorientated and can be easily overwhelmed in busy environments. Music, lights, aromas and touch need to be incorporated into their environment in a subtle and calming way in order to effectively benefit the patients. 

Garden therapy has been provided to be beneficial for the well-being and happiness of dementia patients but also can help to relieve their associated symptoms. It is possible to cater garden therapy to suit the physical and cognitive ability of each patient. The level of physical involvement will decrease with the progression of their disease but with the installation of a dementia-friendly garden, all patients will be able to contribute to the social aspect of the activity. 

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS & FEATURES
-    more able-bodied resident but still evidence of dementia type diseases
         facilities that allow for movement and activity still
         activities that exercise their bodies and their brain
         meditation has been proven to help grow part of the brain responsible for emotions etc
         education rooms to join up with primary schools for mixed education
-    nature themed residence
         our generation has still grown up with nature as a big part of our lives.
         indoor gardens
         a room that allows them to experience nature
             ›    options for beach or rainforest
             ›    a residential aged care facility located on the gold coast would mostly likely house residents who have lived near the beach during their life
             ›    using this to calm them and help them to reminiscence 
-    access to pets 
         companionship
         reduce depression and loneliness 
         can help to normalise the environment
         put the residents at ease
         encourage more interaction between residents through joy, laughter and shared memories of the past
         improved communication
         increased exercise and physical activity 
         improved motor skills
-    staged care
         referring to the seven stages of dementia 
-    ability to share rooms or adjoining room for couples 
         familiarity 
         still allows for individual care
-    acoustic ceiling tiles and sound-absorbing flooring to reduce sound
-    mix of overhead lighting, task lighting and natural light

THE SPACE
•    Relationship diagrams
•    Spatial planning & zoning 
•    Movement through space
•    Weather map

SWOTs 
-    Floor plans 
-    User experience
-    Location
-    Building atmosphere