Activity Directors Rock!: Lime Green Might be Your Color! The Effects of Color with Alzheimers and Dementia Residents

Visual Stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Author: M. Celeste Chase, AC-BC, ACC, CDP

The goal in all communications with a person living with Alzheimer’s should be to connect with him/her in positive, constructive, effective ways. But while most of us have long since experienced the positivity of supportive “words” to communicate; those with progressive Alzheimer’s/dementia will eventual lose the skill of language both receptively and expressively.

Using the Environment to Communicate? – Color My World

Studies have shown that the use of various colors, particularly in the environment can be helpful in restoring some level of independence often lost with the disease progression. Strategic use of colors in the environment also has an uncanny way of improving mood and thereby lessening the occurrence of unwanted behavior incidents.

NOTE: The most effective color preferences for individuals with dementia are red, blue and green.

Red has shown to increases brain wave activity and gives and appearance of a smaller room. This color tends to increase the perceived temperature of the room. The use of red is very effective in getting the attention of an individual with Alzheimer's or dementia. Thus, often used to draw the senior to areas or things you want them to pay attention to.

Blue is a “restful” color with a calming effect.

The use of blue in the physical environment can actually lower blood pressure and rooms painted in this color are cooler than other shades; like red or orange.
Painting walls Blue gives the illusion of increased room size.

Green reduces central nervous system activity and is recognized as being symbolic of growth and life; having the most restful affect of all colors. It is often used to helps individuals remain calm much like blue. Painting walls green gives the appearance of a larger area.

Lime green is particularly effective color to use with individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia for visual attention, i.e., visual cues for bathrooms, bedrooms, walkers, etc.

Blue and red are ideal for a dinner plate and eating utensils colors as it too offers good contrast with food to stimulate appetite.

Studies show that individuals feel happier when wearing colors such as coral, peach and variations of orange. Incorporate these colors in clothing wardrobe, to support happy emotions throughout the day.

NOTE: Those with acutely aggressive unwanted behavior issues tend to act out less when pink is the color of choice. It should be noted that the use of pink, blue and green will often be found in facilities that work with individuals with violent or hostile tendencies.

Contrasting Colors Benefits:

The use of contrast is extremely important for marking edges to delineate the amount of space the item occupies relative to the surrounding environment to help define objects more clearly. It is used to draw attention to furniture or other items that may be tripping hazards to prevent falls.
Contrasting colors are strategically used for dinner plates or finding the toilet seat in a white on white bathroom. It is not uncommon for seniors to completely misjudge the location of the toilet seat or even the bathroom itself. Adding color to seats and bathroom doors can significantly reduce toileting accidents.
Color contrasting is useful in drawing attention to key features on walls. Making it easier to locate switches, railings or handrails.

Color Differentiation:
Research has shown that a person with dementia can be less sensitive to differences in colors – including color contrast such as black or white. The aging process is known to lead to natural thickening of eye lens, affecting distinction between certain colors. It causes a ‘washed out’ affect, making it difficult to differentiate between blues, greens and purples (these colors would then be easily used interchangeably to create the same affect). The distinction between blue and black may also become difficult to identify.

NOTE: Keep in mind that color preferences can change for those seniors living with dementia as they begin to experiences increasing sensitivity to all things, so it is necessary to create a balance throughout the journey of the disease.

Visual Complications:
Difficulties with sight and perception can cause people to misinterpret the world around them, further fueling the confusion and isolation they’re already feeling. The ability to detect movement may be reduced along with problems with double vision, or struggle to change their gaze. Reflections may also be mistaken for other people and shadow areas become a place of overwhelming fear.

Patterns can cause confusion, so keep patterns on the wall and floor to a minimum or eliminate completely where possible. Seniors with Lewy Bodies dementia may view carpets with patterns to be at different heights and levels. Rugs regardless of patterns or solid colors are often seen as holes in the floor and viewed as obstacles to avoid.

Overview Summary:
Highlight important elements – prominent color contrast for a backdrop adds clarity to the environment and the objects occupying the space. Things such as floors, skirting boards, walls, and stairs should all clearly contrast with one another so that they’re easily distinguished.
Example: Chairs should be in contrasting color to the floors, sinks and toilets should be in contrast to the walls and floors, and table settings must contrast with the table or tablecloth.

Use color to highlight risks – For someone living with dementia, changes in hue values can often be perceived to be changes in floor level. Avoid patterned carpets, especially striped or checkered, which could be perceived as holes in the ground.

Ensure thresholds don’t contrast – If the flooring in one room contrasts with the flooring in the next room it could be perceived as a change in floor level. Try to ensure that the flooring for rooms and areas that lead into each other are the same color so that it is perceived as a continuous level surface.

Reduce unwanted visuals – Clutter can be overwhelming and lead to confusion. As dementia progresses it creates a profound lose of our identity and frequent bewilderment causing ever familiar locations to feel strange. High risk wandering behaviors and attempts to escape the place that no longer feels safe can be colors and patterns advantageously with low contrast to make exit doors recede into the background and become more inconspicuous.

NOTE: Not surprisingly, using colors to paint an exit door or a window image on the wall has been known to distract and camouflage the location of the real exit door and window to redirect attempts to wander.

Many of us are drawn to our favorite colors, and some colors evoke happy memories, but as a general rule of thumb the following colors encourage these reactions:

Blue: Cool colors like blue make a room feel bigger, and have a calming and restful effect, so they’re often used for bedrooms and quiet areas.
Green: This earthy color is associated with growth and life, and is thought to reduce activity in the central nervous system and help people to feel calmer.
Red: This warm color has the opposite effect to blue, making a room feel smaller and often used for rooms that are cool in temperature. It’s also a highly stimulating color which is often used in activity areas to increase brain wave activity and stimulate the production of adrenaline.
Orange: Another warm color with similar properties to red. It is considered an earthy color and is often used in natural environments.
Yellow: This is a stimulating color which is used in activity areas to increase brain wave activity as well. Stimulating colors are good for Alzheimer’s patients as they can trigger fond memories and improved cognitive function.