Transforming a Care Home with Signage: A Case Study

Meadowbrook House is a fictional but representative 40-bed residential care home in the English Midlands, providing care for residents with varying degrees of dementia. Like many homes built in the 1990s and converted from a former residential property, it had grown organically over the years with extensions, repurposed rooms, and a layout that presented significant wayfinding challenges. In early 2025, new management committed to a comprehensive environmental improvement programme centred on dementia-friendly signage. This case study documents the process, investment, and measurable outcomes over a 12-month period.

The Starting Point: Environmental Challenges#

Prior to the transformation, Meadowbrook House had minimal signage. Bedroom doors were identified only by small, low-contrast number plates. The dining room and lounge had no pictorial signage. Toilet doors were painted the same colour as surrounding walls, with small text-only signs that many residents could not read. Corridors were long, with identical decoration on both sides and no landmarks or visual cues at junctions. Staff reported spending considerable time redirecting lost or confused residents, and incident reports showed a pattern of falls concentrated in corridors and near bathrooms, particularly during evening and nighttime hours.

The Signage Scheme#

Working with DSDC-accredited signage suppliers, the management team developed a comprehensive signage plan covering every area of the building. The scheme included personalised bedroom door signs featuring each resident's name and a chosen photograph, high-contrast pictorial signs for all bathrooms and toilets, dining room and lounge identification signs, directional corridor signs at every junction, and garden access signage. All signs met DSDC 1A accreditation standards, using high-contrast icons on carefully selected colour backgrounds, mounted in hardwood frames that complemented the home's interior decor.

Implementation Process#

Installation was completed over a single weekend to minimise disruption to residents. Staff received a two-hour training session covering sign placement principles, how to use signs as wayfinding reference points when guiding residents, and the maintenance routine for keeping signs clean and unobstructed. Residents' families were informed in advance and invited to contribute photographs for personalised bedroom door signs. The positive response from families was immediate, with several commenting that the signs made the home feel more welcoming and professional.

Within the first week, I noticed Mum was finding her way to the dining room on her own for the first time in months. She pointed at the sign and said 'that is where I eat.' Such a small thing, but it gave her back a piece of independence. -- Daughter of a Meadowbrook House resident

Measurable Outcomes at 12 Months#

The signage scheme has been transformative for our home. It is not an exaggeration to say it has changed the way our residents experience their environment. The reduction in falls alone has more than justified the investment, and the improvement in our CQC rating has been invaluable for occupancy and reputation. -- Registered Manager, Meadowbrook House

Return on Investment#

The financial return on the signage investment was compelling. Each prevented fall-related hospital admission saves the care system an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 GBP. The three prevented bathroom fall admissions alone represent a saving of 15,000 to 30,000 GBP against an investment of 3,200 GBP. Reduced staff time spent redirecting residents freed approximately 180 hours of care time per year, equivalent to a meaningful uplift in direct care capacity without additional recruitment. The improved CQC rating directly contributed to maintaining full occupancy and enabled a modest fee increase that reflected the enhanced quality of the environment.

Lessons Learned#

The Meadowbrook House experience reinforces several key lessons. First, signage is not a cosmetic improvement; it is a clinical intervention with measurable outcomes. Second, staff training amplifies the impact of physical signage significantly. Third, the investment required is modest relative to the returns in safety, quality ratings, and operational efficiency. Finally, involving families in the process, particularly through personalised bedroom signs, builds trust and communicates a commitment to person-centred care that resonates during tours and inspections.