ASOCIACION DE ALZHEIMER DE PUERTO RICO
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Edif. Santurce Medical Mall E-Mail: alzheimerpr@alzheimerpr.org |
Alzheimer's Disease |
ENVIRONMENT
The Alzheimer patient frequently cannot remember where they are. Sometimes, they see their surroundings as a challenge because they cannot recognize their own home. The feelings of disorientation are part of the illness. While the majority of people can easily distinguish between many different sounds, colors and normal things in a room, the person with Alzheimer's disease becomes confused and overwhelmed. These environmental factors could affect and make the person hostile or worried. For this reason you need to create a peaceful, calm, comfortable organized family environment
If the patient feels secure, this will help you to manage his behavior problems, wandering, anxiety or anger. Remember that something as simple as changing furniture in the living room, could affect the Alzheimer patient. Observing the environment in your home, consider the following advice.
STEPS TO FOLLOW
Focus on Consistency.
Be consistent, keep the furniture in the same place. Help the patient maintain a connection with familiar objects such as old photographs, a favorite chair, a broach or a hat.
Use Colors And Contrasts.
Work toward maintaining a peaceful affect, through the use of colors. Instead of using bright colors such as white, yellow, orange or red, use more soft colors such as peach, rose, beige, ivory, light blues, greens or aqua. In addition, use flat paint instead of gloss to prevent too glossy of an effect.
Use Contrast.
A patient with Alzheimer's disease is incapable of distinguishing between a wall that is not painted with a light color and a door or handrail that is beige. For this reason, you will need to have light colored walls and dark colored doors and handrails.
Focus Attention on the Floor.
Maintain floor surfaces free of obstacles. The Alzheimer patient could perceive the floor tiles as holes or cracks.
Possibly a bright colored floor could prevent the Alzheimer patient from seeing obstacles in his path. Some new vinyl materials reduce the brightness and are less slippery.
Consider using rugs to help absorb the noise and to prevent falls. On the other hand, due to the problem of incontinence many caregivers eliminate rugs.
Limit Distractions.
Limit distractions and avoid noise. Listen to soft and peaceful music, including some of the patient's favorite melodies. In addition, avoid excessive channel changing and phone ringing.
Avoid lighting that causes shadows, since this could perturb the patient. Always, as long as possible, use natural light and focus directly where it is needed.
Consider Special Furniture.
If it is possible, use non-absorbent materials to cover furniture or purchase a comfortable chair. If you purchase a special chair, make sure that it is strong an firm with extensive arms, so the patient can sit down and get up easily.
Orient the Patient.
Try signs, drawings and numbers to help orient the patient understand where they are.
Take into account security. Maintain aisles clean, obstacle free, and take special care that everything is in boxes and save the buttons or controls to the stove, thermostat and the water heater.
Coverings on the Wall Make a Difference.
Use objects to hang on the wall, made of various textures such as wool or cotton. Many Alzheimer's patients like to touch them since these decorations are less distracting than mirrors or windows.
Avoid hanging wallpaper with small impressions as a motif. In certain occasions, patients have confused the drawings on the wallpaper for real ones and began hitting the wall. In another particular case, a patient tried to pick the flowers off the wallpaper.
Be Careful with Plants.
If you have plants to decorate the interior of your home, make sure that they are not toxic.
Consider the backyard of the home as part of the environment. Give the patient the opportunity to help in the garden, to walk and work in a secure area under supervision.
Favorite Animals in the House.
Consider animals as part of the environment. Many people with Alzheimer's disease find great pleasure in observing fish or birds. The only precaution however, is to supervise the activity and maintain the aquarium or cage closed and locked.
In addition, remember that patients are not capable of tending and caring for animals.
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