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Dementia Inclusive Hospitals from a Universal Design Approach – MOOC

20 Dec 2021
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The Dementia Inclusive Hospitals from a Universal Design Approach MOOC is based on existing research and a set of Dementia Friendly Hospital Design Guidelines that were funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) in 2018. The guideline development process was led by TrinityHaus (TCD) and Tallaght University Hospital and was supported by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, O’Connell Mahon Architects, and the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSiDC) in St James’ Hospital Dublin.  

For many patients, the hospital is challenging due to the busy, unfamiliar, and stressful nature of the environment. For those with dementia, the experience can be exacerbated by cognitive impairment and behavioural or psychological symptoms, which can make visits frightening, distressing, and disorientating. 

The MOOC provides much-needed education, design guidance, and awareness for an important but underdeveloped area of design. Furthermore, they are useful for a wide range of stakeholders in developing their overall knowledge around dementia and the built environment; for hospital management when setting strategic objectives or developing briefs; and for facilities management, healthcare staff, and design professionals involved in new-build or retrofit projects.  

Funded by EIT Health, as part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the course was thus developed by TrinityHaus (TCD), in partnership with HOPE (European Hospital and Healthcare Federation), Tallaght University Hospital and Hospital Clínic de Barcelona to disseminate their existing research on creating dementia-friendly hospitals/health environments.   

More information & registration for the MOOC

An online information session was organised on 6 December 2022 for those interested in dementia, or designing for dementia, with the objectives of: 

  • Introducing the main contributors to the MOOC; 
  • Outlining the background research underpinning the course; 
  • Providing a course overview; 
  • Providing information on how to partake in this free course. 

This course is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders and will develop their knowledge of dementia and the built environment, including: 

  • Hospital management when setting strategic objectives or developing briefs; 
  • Facilities management; 
  • Healthcare staff working in the hospital; 
  • Design professionals involved in new-build or retrofit projects. 

The development phase has concluded, but the MOOCs are available in the link above.