Dementia-Friendly Signage Score
Answer 10 quick questions to score your care home's signage against dementia-friendly best practice. Takes about 2 minutes.
1. Colour contrast
Do your door and room signs strongly contrast with the surface they are mounted on?
2. Recognisable imagery
Do signs pair a clear, realistic picture or symbol with the words?
3. Toilet visibility
Can a resident see a toilet sign from their doorway or the nearest seating area?
4. Decision points
Is there directional signage at corridor junctions and other decision points?
5. Bedroom personalisation
Are bedrooms personalised to help residents recognise their own room (e.g. a photo, memory box, or familiar object)?
6. Room naming
Do signs use familiar everyday words (e.g. “Toilet”, “Lounge”) rather than clinical terms?
7. Colour coding
Do different units, floors or zones use consistent colour coding to aid orientation?
8. Font size & style
Is sign text large, in a plain sans-serif font, and in mixed case (not ALL CAPS)?
9. Visual clutter
Are walls and doors kept free of competing notices, posters and excess signage?
10. Lighting
Are all signs well lit, without glare or shadows obscuring them?