RCN Webinar: Dementia-Friendly Environments in Acute and Community Care Creating Spaces That Support Independence, Dignity and Wellbeing
20 Aug 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
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Join the Royal College of Nursing for an insightful webinar exploring how dementia-friendly environments can transform the experiences of people living with dementia across acute, community and social care settings.
People living with dementia interact with health and care environments every day. The design of these spaces can have a significant impact on confidence, wellbeing, independence and health outcomes.
Join us for an insightful webinar exploring how dementia-friendly environments can transform the experiences of people living with dementia across acute, community and social care settings.
Bringing together leading experts in dementia care and service improvement, this session will showcase practical approaches, innovative projects and real-world examples of creating inclusive environments that enable people to thrive.
Whether you work in hospitals, community services, primary care, care homes or the voluntary sector, this webinar will provide valuable learning and inspiration to support your own dementia-friendly initiatives.
What you'll learn
- How dementia-friendly environments can improve experiences and outcomes.
- Practical approaches to creating more inclusive and supportive care settings.
- The role of environmental design in promoting independence, dignity and wellbeing.
- Examples of successful service improvement initiatives from acute and community care.
- How multidisciplinary teams can work together to enhance dementia care environments.
Meet the Speakers
Dave Wilson-Wynne
Senior Dementia Consultant, University of Stirling
Director, Innovare Dementia Consultancy
An award-winning dementia consultant, educator and thought leader, Dave brings more than 19 years' experience across health and social care. Renowned for championing person-led, rights-based approaches to dementia support, he works with organisations nationally and internationally to translate evidence, policy and innovation into meaningful improvements in practice.
Dave's work focuses on autonomy, identity, choice and meaningful participation, helping services move beyond task-focused care towards truly person-centred support.
Ross Mawhinney
Senior Health and Social Care Professional
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Ross specialises in dementia services, mental health for older people and quality assurance. He leads service improvement initiatives and supports strategic developments across multidisciplinary teams.
In this session, Ross will share how the Environments for Aging and Dementia Design Assessment Tool (EADDAT) has been used to drive meaningful service improvements, focusing on:
- Physical deconditioning and frailty.
- Emotional wellbeing.
- Cognitive function.
- Social connection and engagement.
Ross will illustrate these principles through the development of a dementia therapy garden, demonstrating how environmental design can positively influence health and wellbeing.
Debbie Rainey
Specialist Older Person Nurse
With more than 20 years' experience across older people's services, Debbie has dedicated her career to improving the experiences of people living with dementia within acute hospital settings.
Her presentation, "Enhancing the Healing Environment: Creating Dementia-Friendly Hospital Settings", will explore how hospitals can create more compassionate and inclusive environments that support people living with dementia. Debbie will share practical insights into dementia assessment, person-centred care, meaningful patient and carer engagement, and non-pharmacological approaches that help reduce distress while improving outcomes.
Megan Musson
megan.musson@rcn.org.uk
Online
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Page last updated - 06/08/2026
