Training Staff on Signage & Wayfinding

Installing dementia-friendly signage is a critical first step, but it is not the final one. The difference between a care home where signage genuinely supports residents and one where it simply decorates the walls lies in staff understanding. When care teams understand why signs are positioned where they are, how residents interact with visual cues, and what maintenance routines keep signage effective, the entire environment works harder for every resident. This guide provides a framework for training care home staff on signage and wayfinding.

Why Staff Training Matters#

Research consistently shows that environmental interventions are most effective when staff are trained to reinforce them. A toilet sign placed at the correct height and angle is valuable, but its impact multiplies when staff members understand to use verbal cues that reference the sign: 'Follow the corridor to the blue toilet sign on your right.' Staff who understand the principles behind signage placement can also identify when a sign has been obscured by a piece of furniture, when lighting changes have reduced visibility, or when a new resident's room would benefit from additional personalisation at the door.

Core Training Topics#

Signage Placement Principles for Staff#

Staff should understand that sign placement is guided by evidence, not convenience. Signs should be mounted at a height of 1.2 to 1.4 metres, which corresponds to the natural line of sight for someone who may be walking slowly or using a mobility aid. Signs should be placed on the door itself or immediately adjacent to it on the opening side, never on the wall behind a door that may be propped open. Corridor signs should be positioned at decision points where residents must choose a direction. Lighting should illuminate the sign face without creating glare. These principles should be reinforced through practical, hands-on exercises during training sessions.

Maintenance and Ongoing Monitoring#

Signage maintenance should be embedded into existing housekeeping and health and safety routines. A monthly signage audit, which can be completed in under 30 minutes for a typical care home, checks that all signs are clean, securely mounted, unobscured, and appropriately lit. Staff should be empowered to report issues immediately rather than waiting for scheduled audits. A simple maintenance log, kept at the nurses' station or in a digital care management system, ensures accountability and tracks patterns that might indicate systemic issues such as signs being repeatedly knocked in high-traffic areas.

Guiding Residents Using Signage#

Staff should be trained to use signage as an active care tool rather than a background feature. When supporting a resident to find the dining room, rather than leading them by the arm, a staff member might walk alongside them, pointing to signs and using them as conversational reference points. This approach respects the resident's autonomy, reinforces their ability to use environmental cues, and builds confidence in independent navigation. Over time, residents who are consistently supported in this way may require less direct assistance, freeing staff time and improving the resident's sense of independence and dignity.

Embedding Training in Care Culture#

Effective training is not a one-off event but an ongoing commitment. Include signage and wayfinding awareness in induction programmes for new staff, incorporate refresher content into annual mandatory training, and celebrate good practice. When a staff member identifies a signage issue or demonstrates excellent wayfinding support for a resident, recognise it. Building a culture where the physical environment is understood as a care tool, equal in importance to medication and personal care, is the hallmark of an outstanding care home.