Circa Designs Ltd have rebranded our website our new site is located at
www.clairmontplc.com We have introduced many new products and we are adding to them regularly. Please visit our site, it is packed with useful information for carers drawn from various sources throughout the world. We hope you will find it both informative and helpful.
1. External Signage Our range of external signag
is suitable for mounting on poles or on a wall,
materials used in production of externally
mounted signage includes, aluminium, dibond
(aluminium/plastic sandwich) and acrylic. There
is a choice of appliedvinyl letters and graphics
or full vinyl graphic print. All of our graphic
prints are overlaminated to provide additional
weather and UV resistance.
We can also provide external signs with fully encapsulated raised letters similar to internal room signs.
There are a variety of framing and pole mounting options available for external signs.
2. Cuing Signage We believe that signage for dementia sufferers should be minimal to avoid “noise” and confusion, as a result we would promote only a handful of specific images, Toilet, Lounge / Sitting Room / Living Room, Dining Room and Garden. The signs for Lounges and Dining Room may be superfluous as room usage is apparent when doors are open, only if Lounges are specifically named and confusion is possible, do these need to be signed.
We are however prepared to meet the needs of service providers should they require a larger range of images.
a) Encapsulated Tactile Signs, the raised letters in these signs provide interest and tactility. The signs are colour and image specific, to help cuing and those with impaired vision, we are flexible on the size as at present we believe we need to respond to individual needs of service users.
Our standard size for room signs is 150mm x 150mm, we believe this size to be correct for most applications, however we can produce any size and shape to suit user’s needs. Our costing policy for the signs means we can offer sizes up to 200mm x 200mm (or equivalent) at no additional cost. We have provided signs up to A3 size (420mm x 297mm) for specific locations in Southern Cross care centres. The signs can be shaped, to provide another dimension and further interest.
The signs are mounted on an acrylic backing to provide a substantial product, easily mounted on doors and walls using VHB (Very High Bond) tape.
b) Encapsulated Signs (Non Tactile), flat faced signs similar to the tactile signs above. Colour and image specific to help cuing and those with impaired vision, we are flexible on the size as we believe we need to respond to individual needs of service users.
The signs are mounted on an acrylic backing to provide a product, easily mounted on doors and walls using VHB (Very High Bond) tape.
The above items come with 10 year warranty against fading or environmental damage, product advantages are shown in 3. below.
c) Face Laminated Signs same graphics and colours still representing best practice as above. The signs are not mounted on acrylic and are mounted using the integral vinyl adhesive, these signs should only be mounted on flat clean surfaces, any blemish on the mounting surface will show through the sign.
d) A similar range of signage is available for non dementia units, standard graphics and icons are incorporated into encapsulated signs, the background colour can be provided to match or contrast decoration.
As with all our signs we are happy to work with care providers, designers and specialists to manufacture custom designs, shapes and sizes.
3. Light Switch Highlighters:
Our experience of Care Centres is that walls are neutral colours, cream, magnolia, beige, etc. this can cause issues with service users having difficulty finding white light switches, to assist with this we have designed and manufactured a range of overlay plates which can be fitted over existing fittings to highlight switches. The plates are available in various colours to suit the environment. We also have high luminous adhesive backed overlays to enable switches to be located in low light conditions.
a. Colour contrast fingerplate distinguishes the light switch from the wall, the ideal solution would be a high contrast light switch, however this may involve the expense of a tradesman, this can be avoided byusing a fingerplate. (We have also advised users to use a DIY approach by painting around the switch using a contrasting colour, this saves the expense of buying and fitting a fingerplate).
b. Photo-luminescent cover absorbs light and gives off a glow in the dark, this could assist when the service user has a need for the toilet, the glow may draw the person to it and allow the person to find the facilities. The cover has adhesive tape backing for easy fitting.
4. Landmark Products
a. A4 Beech Wood slide frame, which we use to assist identification of rooms to the service user. It is very easy to change and maintain, we can offer a support service for the graphics if required, the size is specific to allow the care centre to be independent. The same frame can also be used for non dementia service users to promote and identify named nurses and carers.
b. Memory Boxes a selection of “Memory Boxes” is available in Beech, Cherry wood effect and unpainted or painted finish. The boxes are approximately 350mm high x 250mm wide x 70mm deep with a hinged front with clear Perspex insert. Various decorative mouldings are available for the front frame. Custom sizes are available.
c. Post Box, Fully functioning low profile post-box for use inside the care centre, this can be used to assist orientation as well as use as a familiar landmark. There is evidence to suggest in some cases it may initiate conversation and letter writing.
d. Custom Frames for use by the care home generally to communicate management and staff structures to relatives and visitors. We can support this with “poster” type finish to present a professional edge to reception areas.
e. Door conversion graphics can be used to replicate front door images, this promotes a “welcome” prompt of a formal entrance door. Using individual colour door graphics in conjunction with 5a above will personalise the room and make it easier for service users to “find their way home”. There is also evidence to suggest that the formal front door image also reduces the incidence of unwanted entry into fellow residents’ rooms, and the confrontation this can cause.
f. High Contrast Door Handles The use of suitable colour door handles may also, in certain instances assist in highlighting “how” to enter.
g. Door hardware door numbers, knockers and letter boxes can be supplied, in addition we can provide a service to care homes to supply and update door nameplates when residents change. Individual nameplates in brass or laminated “fake brass” can be supplied on demand from care homes.
h. Photo Wall Murals, a range of wall graphics products is available these graphics cover full or part walls and doors. We can also provide custom graphics to create false windows in corridors.
i. Door Transformation, we can provide graphics and murals to transform any room door to look like a Cinema, Café, etc. We can also supply printed banners or blinds that can be pulled up or down to increase the illusion, these are easily removed and stored when not in use.
5. Miscellaneous
a. Bank of England Banknotes, the company has obtained a licence from the Bank of England to reproduce older bank notes on linen paper and without “specimen” etc as a product for sale specifically for care homes and dementia units in particular. These notes satisfy a need for the service user to be able to pay for services and have the “independent” feel of having money in their purse or wallet without the problems of having real money security problems to consider. We offer 10/-, £1 and £5 notes.
b. Self Adhesive Identification Labels, we also produce A4 sheets of self adhesive labels with graphics such as socks, cutlery etc, for care at home. We can produce any graphic that would be of an assistance in a home care environment where identifying what is in a drawer or behind a door cupboard.
These can also be used as discussion items or simply to reduce frustration and rummaging.
c. Tactile Boards we offer a range of ready made interesting tactile boards for use in care homes.
d. Tactile Kits supply tactile items such as sea shells etc in response to requests for items that could be used by dementia and/or non dementia service users in arts and craft groups to create items
of interest for display in the care home.
6. Jigsaws We can provide a selection of simple jigsaws to help with dexterity.
7. Art Prints from classics to modern, we can supply framed art prints for hanging in bedrooms, corridors and sitting rooms. Many of the subjects are copyright and can only be obtained through our suppliers.
8. User’s Family Feedback / Suggestion Boxes a small postbox suitable for posting comments / suggestions, a single page double sided form template is available one side of which can be filled in with comments/suggestions, the back of the form is used to enter actions taken and/or planned to implement improvement. This system is utilised successfully by numerous companies in the manufacturing and service sectors, to demonstrate best practise and a continual improvement ethos.
9. Health & Safety A full range of Health & Safety signs will be available from our online shop which is opening soon.
10.Promotional Products a range of products is available for use at corporate events and conferences.
a. Banner-ups we provide various banner-up products printed to order, these can be used for Care Centre opening events, open days, conferences and corporate events.
b. Opening Plaques also available are opening plaques, with curtain hire which can be used at opening events.