Small Decor Changes Make a Big Difference for a Parent With Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association states that almost every minute, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. If you have a parent with Alzheimer’s, you already know that the disease is challenging for both the patient at the family caregiver. As the brain deteriorates, there are symptoms that do not seem reasonable to the caregiver, yet those symptoms are very real and frightening to the aging parent.

One of the biggest issues comes from deteriorating vision. Exact symptoms differ from person to person, but many with Alzheimer’s end up struggling with depth perception, colors/contrasts, and motion. In the home, colors, contrasts, and depth perception prove problematic.

Get Rid of Throw Rugs and Check Flooring

Walking to another room should be simple enough, but with depth perception issues, the carpet runner going down the hallway can look like a hole in the floor to someone with Alzheimer’s. Remove all throw rugs. You may also want to look at tile flooring where contrasting tile colors can pose issues. If you spot issues, covering them completely with carpeting will prevent your parent from being frightened.

You will need to take measures to make sure stairs stand out. You can do this by painting baseboards a contrasting color to walls. Another idea is to put up a baby gate to keep your parent from trying to navigate stairs alone.

Eliminate Patterns

Busy patterns on things like curtains can be confusing to a person with Alzheimer’s. If there are patterned bedspreads or curtains in a room, consider removing them. Replace them with plain colored décor that stands out against the wall or window.

Make Sure Color Contrasts Stand Out

It’s important to make sure that contrasting colors are used everywhere. White chicken breast on a white dinner plate may disappear into the plate. Beige carpeting against beige walls may make it impossible for your parent to understand where the walls and floors meet. A beige lamp against a beige wall may not be noticeable. Change décor to ensure contrasts are noticeable.

Have a senior care professional walk through the home with you. While senior care experts come into the home to help offer respite from the 24/7 care an Alzheimer’s patient needs, they can also point out safety issues. Together, you can keep your mom or dad safe and secure at home.

Sources:

http://www.alz.org/facts/
www.alz.org/centralohio/documents/vision_problems_associated_with_alzheimers.doc
http://dementiatoday.com/visuo-perceptual-difficulties-in-dementia/
http://www.broylesfoundation.com/playbook/

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home senior care in Middletown, CT, please contact the caring staff at Franciscan Ever There Care. Call today 203-630-2881.