AAC Environmental Design & Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which noise level strategy best supports cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease?
- Background music at all times to mask other sounds
- A quiet environment with minimal competing noise (Correct answer)
- Ambient noise set to 70 decibels for stimulation
- Intercoms broadcasting announcements every hour
Correct answer: A quiet environment with minimal competing noise
Minimizing competing noise reduces overstimulation, anxiety, and cognitive confusion in individuals with dementia.
Question 2: What is the risk of placing rocking chairs or wheeled furniture near doorways in memory care units?
- Residents may become too sedentary
- Moving furniture creates unpredictable tripping and fall hazards (Correct answer)
- Wheeled chairs can cause floor damage
- Rocking chairs create excessive noise
Correct answer: Moving furniture creates unpredictable tripping and fall hazards
Moveable or unstable furniture near doorways can shift unexpectedly, creating tripping hazards for residents with gait and balance problems.
Question 3: In dementia care environments, why are rounded furniture corners preferred over sharp edges?
- They are easier to clean
- They reduce injury risk when residents with balance issues collide with furniture (Correct answer)
- They take up less space
- They are required by OSHA standards for care facilities
Correct answer: They reduce injury risk when residents with balance issues collide with furniture
Rounded corners reduce the risk of lacerations and bruising when residents with unsteady gait bump into furniture.
Question 4: Which feature should be AVOIDED in the dining room of a memory care unit?
- Round tables for small groups
- Bold geometric patterned tablecloths (Correct answer)
- Contrasting dishware colors
- Natural lighting from windows
Correct answer: Bold geometric patterned tablecloths
Bold geometric patterns on tablecloths can be visually confusing for people with dementia, causing them to misperceive patterns as objects or holes.
Question 5: A memory care facility wants to reduce resident agitation in the late afternoon. Which environmental intervention is most evidence-based?
- Dimming all lights after 3 PM
- Increasing bright light exposure earlier in the day to regulate circadian rhythm (Correct answer)
- Locking residents in their rooms during sundowning hours
- Playing loud music to distract residents
Correct answer: Increasing bright light exposure earlier in the day to regulate circadian rhythm
Bright light therapy in the morning and early afternoon helps regulate circadian rhythms, which can reduce sundowning agitation in the late afternoon and evening.
Question 6: What is the purpose of installing grab bars in contrasting colors in bathrooms used by people with dementia?
- To comply with building code color requirements
- To make grab bars visually distinct so residents can easily locate and use them (Correct answer)
- To prevent rust from appearing on metal bars
- To signal which bars are for residents versus staff
Correct answer: To make grab bars visually distinct so residents can easily locate and use them
High contrast between grab bars and walls ensures residents with dementia can visually identify and reach for support when needed.
Question 7: Which household-style feature in memory care dining areas is most likely to support food intake in residents with Alzheimer's disease?
- A clinical cafeteria serving line
- Family-style table settings with familiar dishware (Correct answer)
- Trays with all foods arranged together
- Serving food only in neutral-colored bowls
Correct answer: Family-style table settings with familiar dishware
Familiar, home-like table settings trigger preserved procedural and long-term memories, encouraging residents to eat more independently.
AAC Environmental Design & Safety 3
Which noise level strategy best supports cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease?