Environmental Design & Modification Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of using contrasting colors between walls and floors in dementia care environments?

Answer: To help residents with visual-perceptual difficulties distinguish surfaces and prevent falls

Contrasting colors between walls and floors help persons with dementia who have visual-perceptual difficulties distinguish surfaces, reducing the risk of falls.

Which lighting intervention is most beneficial for persons with dementia to help regulate sleep-wake cycles?

Answer: Bright light therapy administered particularly in the morning hours

Bright light therapy, especially in the morning, helps regulate circadian rhythms in persons with dementia who often experience disrupted sleep-wake cycles.

In dementia care environmental design, 'wayfinding' refers to:

Answer: Design elements that help residents orient themselves and navigate their environment

Wayfinding refers to environmental cues, landmarks, and design features that help persons with dementia navigate and orient themselves within their living space.

Why might mirrors be removed or covered in some dementia care settings?

Answer: Persons with dementia may not recognize their reflection, causing fear or agitation

Persons with advanced dementia often cannot recognize their own reflection, which can cause fear, agitation, or the belief that a stranger is present in the room.

Which type of flooring pattern should be avoided in dementia care environments?

Answer: High-contrast stripes or patterns that can be perceived as steps or holes

High-contrast patterns on floors can be misperceived by persons with dementia as three-dimensional objects, holes, or steps, increasing fall risk and anxiety.

Which environmental modification is most effective for reducing elopement risk in memory care units?

Answer: Painting exit doors the same color as surrounding walls to camouflage them

Camouflaging exit doors by painting them the same color as surrounding walls reduces their visual salience, decreasing the likelihood that persons with dementia will attempt to elope.

What is the recommended approach to noise management in dementia care environments?

Answer: Minimize unnecessary background noise and use soft, familiar music selectively

Minimizing unnecessary background noise and using soft, familiar music selectively reduces agitation and improves the ability of persons with dementia to focus and communicate.