title: Designs that enhance care.
abstract: One quarter of people accessing acute hospitals are likely to have dementia and the number with the condition is expected to double over the next 30 years ( National Audit Office 2010 ). The Alzheimer's Society ( 2009 ) highlighted the detrimental effect of hospital stays on the independence of this patient group. Yet relatively inexpensive aspects of the design and fabric of the care environment can have a positive effect on the wellbeing of people with dementia.