How “true doors” decals help people with dementia

TRUE DOORS: TRANSFORMING COLD INSTITUTIONAL SPACES INTO WARM AND FAMILIAR HOMELIKE ENVIRONMENTS

True Doors are a simple idea done well. They are made-to-measure decals using pictures of real doors that last years and bring a smile to your face.

People personalize front doors with decals from the True Door collection and/or using a decal recreating a past door. True Doors replace a clinical and impersonal atmosphere in an assisted living facility with a more homely and friendly living environment. 

What is a True Door? 

True Doors are a simple idea done well. They are made-to-measure decals using pictures of real doors that last years and bring a smile to your face. People personalize front doors with decals from the True Door collection and/or using a decal recreating a past door. True Doors replace a clinical and impersonal atmosphere in an assisted living facility with a more homely and friendly living environment.  

True Doors help with Way-finding 

In contrast to previously sterile and anonymous hallways, when the True Doors are in place residents tend to recognise their front doors, find their way more easily and consequently feel more at home. 

True Doors offer privacy and sense of safety 

With True Doors in place, it is less likely that people will walk into the wrong room. There is a greater chance that others will knock before they come in. The result is more privacy and a greater sense of safety. 

True doors can stimulate reminiscence 

A door from the past or a similar looking decal from the extensive collection motivates people to tell stories about their past. A simple tool to help strike up a conversation.  

Social interaction is stimulated: True Doors are a piece of everyday art 

“It made me think of Picasso.” — Mw. Eichhorn | Resident at Pieter van Foreest Weidevogelhof in Pijnacker. People say they often talk about, enjoy and are proud of their True Doors.  

How True Doors decals help people with dementia 

The effect of True Doors at one nursing home in the Netherlands by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Wellness and Sport. True Doors ® are a simple idea done well. They are made-to-measure decals of doors that last years and bring a smile to your face. 

People personalize front doors with decals from the True Door collection and/or using a decal recreating a past door. True Doors replace a clinical and impersonal atmosphere in an assisted living facility with a more homely and friendly living environment. 

MORE ON TRUEDOORS

Click on True Doors for more information, to hear stories from nursing staff, family members and people with dementia, or to see catalogue, or follow their community page on Facebook.