Communication for health

COLOGNE. The Health Media Award is given for the best performance in the field of health communication. The coveted awards and distinctions were presented for the sixth time on 28th June 2013. The award presentation was held in Cologne under the patronage of the Federal Minister for Health, Daniel Bahr. At the care-sector exhibition "Altenpflege 2013" the companies, Forbo and Caparol, for the first time presented the joint project "Living Spaces". It deals with holistic design concepts with special paints and floor coverings for the living spaces of elderly people. Experience from the practical care of the elderly and scientific knowledge form the basis of the colour and materials concepts. The objective is to create atmospheres which ensure perceptibility and recognition, and which simultaneously contribute to a pleasant and cosy home. The "Living Spaces" comprise five balanced colour worlds, inspired by sentiments in nature; they convey homeliness, stimulus and orientation. In this way routine capabilities can be retained longer, independence and wellbeing promoted and the care routine alleviated. The "Living Spaces" design aid consisting of a fan and brochure has since then been presented to architects, operators of care facilities for the elderly and other institutions and has reaped lots of positive feedback. Reliability in the implementation due to the interdisciplinary approach, independence of trend-related colour schemes and a concept which brings together science-based design reliability and expert experience convinced the target group. The jury of the Health Media Awards were also of this opinion and awarded the prize in the special category "Dementia and Communication" for the "Best design aid nationwide". During the ceremonial presentation in the Hotel im Wasserturm (hotel in the water tower) representatives from Caparol and Forbo accepted the renowned award. They were delighted at the success achieved and the acceptance in the market. Margit Vollmert, Manager of the Caparol ColorDesignStudio put it in a nutshell: "The award demonstrates that the intensive involvement in the topic 'Colour and the Aged' has been worth it, that it has aroused great interest and the result is widely appreciated in the health field." Further information at: www.caparol.de/gestaltung/beratungsmittel/lebensraeume.html KÖLN. The Health Media Award is given for the best performance in the field of health communication. The coveted awards and distinctions were presented for the sixth time on 28th June 2013. This year the award presentation was held in Cologne under the patronage of the Federal Minister for Health, Daniel Bahr. At the care-sector exhibition "Altenpflege 2013" the companies, Forbo and Caparol, for the first time presented the joint project "Living Spaces". It deals with holistic design concepts with special paints and floor coverings for the living spaces of elderly people. Experience from the practical care of the elderly and scientific knowledge form the basis of the colour and materials concepts. The objective is to create atmospheres which ensure perceptibility and recognition, and which simultaneously contribute to a pleasant and cosy home. The "Living Spaces" comprise five balanced colour worlds, inspired by sentiments in nature; they convey homeliness, stimulus and orientation. In this way routine capabilities can be retained longer, independence and wellbeing promoted and the care routine alleviated. The "Living Spaces" design aid consisting of a fan and brochure has since then been presented to architects, operators of care facilities for the elderly and other institutions and has reaped lots of positive feedback. Reliability in the implementation due to the interdisciplinary approach, independence of trend-related colour schemes and a concept which brings together science-based design reliability and expert experience convinced the target group. The jury of the Health Media Awards were also of this opinion and awarded the prize in the special category "Dementia and Communication" for the "Best design aid nationwide". During the ceremonial presentation in the Hotel im Wasserturm (hotel in the water tower) representatives from Caparol and Forbo accepted the renowned award. They were delighted at the success achieved and the acceptance in the market. Margit Vollmert, Manager of the Caparol FarbDesignStudio put it in a nutshell: "The award demonstrates that the intensive involvement in the topic 'Colour and the Aged' has been worth it, that it has aroused great interest and the result is widely appreciated in the health field." Further information at: http://www.caparol.de/gestaltung/beratungsmittel/lebensraeume.html

Colour combinations as an important factor Designing for old-age is less of a question of the correct colour, but more of a question of colour combinations and the resulting contrasts. The colour fan-deck shows in this respect 45 colour/material harmonies: Each combination contains wall and accent colours and includes floor coverings and wooden surfaces. These combinations are conceived for three different areas of use, so that calm moods as well as exciting, lively colour atmospheres are available. It is important here that the individual combinations for the living, corridor and common areas form one holistic concept. Consequently, the fan-deck offers definitive suggestions of how rooms or areas which are connected together can be harmoniously and holistically designed. A piece of the world outside Natural landscapes and "wellness locations" were the starting point for the development of five atmospheric colour worlds and their colour harmonies. They are called "Summer Freshness", " Rose Garden", "Sea Breeze", "Excursion" and "Spring Meadow". The colour worlds are differentiated by individual colours. The illustrated natural moods appear familiar, are perceived as harmonious and arouse positive associations. The colour selection transferred to the interior is consequently perceived as pleasant and appealing. Particularly for the increased presence in inner spaces, a "piece of the outside world" and a bit more quality of life can be transported into one's own living environment.