Pimp My Zimmer

The Residents at Green Willow Residential Home, are at it again, putting their creative talents to work. The ‘Pimp my Zimmer’  scheme originated in an Essex care home in 2016 and has gone on to reduce falls in some care homes by up to 60%. The brighter colours are more easily recognisable to people with cognitive impairments such as dementia. Dementia can cause a loss of visual definition to separate items, leading to everyday items merging and being overlooked. By decorating their frames and making them unique, residents are both encouraged and reminded to use their own personally height-adjusted frames.

Although this project was initially born out of concern for resident safety, it has provided many additional benefits. The unique decoration can make residents' experience of using a walking aid more positive reducing feelings of perceived stigma often attached to them and providing an opportunity for further social interaction between residents. The decorated frames are a talking point as the individual designs reflect their hobbies, personalities and sense of humour.