Paste family photos and tags against a calming blue background
How can we help people with dementia? I need a lot of help, but how about changing the environment first? Charles Fuschillo Jr., President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a non-profit foundation that provides financial support and better care to people with dementia, their families and healthcare professionals in the United States, said : “Home The environment can affect a person’s quality of life”.
“There are many ways families can make the home of a person with dementia warmer,” she explained. You can decorate it with high-tech appliances, label what goes in dresser drawers, or put family photos on it. The aim is to create a space where dementia patients can calm down.
Color is also very important. Blue calms people. It is suitable for a place to relax, such as a bedroom or bathroom. Red, orange and purple are energetic yet inspiring. Not suitable for calming someone down.
The AFA suggested keeping color contrast in mind to help orient a space. For example, crockery that contrasts with the color of the tablecloth makes it easier for a person with dementia to see the food on a plate.
Light is also important. Proper lighting can help people with dementia see better and can also affect physical activity. For example, blue light stimulates the brain, boosting energy levels.
Using high blue light during the day and low blue light at night can improve sleep and reduce agitation in people with dementia. It is best to avoid flashing lights as they can cause mental turmoil.
The AFA introduces a dementia-friendly housing model on its website. The AFA said providing visual cues could make the lives of people with dementia easier. It’s also important to label the contents of your dressing table drawer, such as socks or shirts, with names or pictures. Also, family photos or vintage magazines that remind you of the past can help you calm down and bring back memories.
When you are not living with someone with dementia, digital technology can play a role in being a caring partner. There are apps that can program, change and maintain the temperature remotely. A fine dust alarm is also useful. Additionally, interactive virtual assistant technology can tell people with dementia what to do. “Now it’s time for lunch” and “it’s time to take your medicine” are words that help people with dementia live.
