Here are some tips to help you create a more supportive home environment:

• Lighting should be even and consistent. Try to keep light at a similar level throughout each room of the house and from room to room, that means no dark corners or dark hallways. Uneven lighting, patterns caused by bright light, and shadows can cause agitation and confusion.
• There are a variety of low cost LED bulbs that use less energy than incandescent bulbs. Since LEDs use only a fraction of the energy of an incandescent light bulb, there is a dramatic decrease in power costs. LED bulbs also have a longer life span. Many come in strips for under counters, on top of cabinets and bookcases, or in typical bulb shape for lamps. Look for bulbs that are soft white.
• Cut back hedges or trees if they overshadow the window and block out sunlight.
• Lighting is particularly important on the stairs and in the toilet. Light switches should be easily accessible and straightforward to use.
• Install lights that turn on automatically when the bedroom or bathroom door is opened.
• Mount additional lighting by the bed. A swing arm lamp that can be moved out of the way when not in use can be mounted near the bed to allow people with dementia to see their care partner’s face clearly, get in and out of bed with ease, read, listen to music and see the phone clearly. If a swing arm lamp is not possible, a table lamp can also be used.
• Increase task lighting by adding lamps or wall fixtures. Task lighting by the dresser helps in locating personal items more easily. It is also useful by the bathroom mirror to help with grooming and personal hygiene. A bright reading lamp can help people see and enjoy what they’re doing instead of becoming frustrated. There are several desk lamps that offer both light therapy and effective task lighting in one!
• Boost lighting in the closet. Install pressure sensitive switches on the door frames of closets to provide automatic closet lighting. Battery-powered closet lights with built-in motion detectors are a low-cost alternative to pressure sensitive switches. Battery-powered closet lights with manual switches are also available. Be sure to select fixtures with switches that can be operated with limited dexterity and visibility, such as pull cords or rocker switches.
• Reduce glare. Glare is a source of intense light in one’s immediate view. Older adult eyes are very sensitive to glare, and as a result, individuals have difficulty concentrating, become confused or agitated, and are at a greater risk for falls. Because of sensitivity to glare, all windows should have some means of filtering or blocking light. Vertical and horizontal blinds are not the best choice because they create slits of light and dark, which can be very disorienting to people with dementia. If they are metal, the light may reflect off the blinds, causing even more glare. Window treatments using sheer curtains or shades allow light to be diffused without totally blocking the view. Windows should also have a means of completely blocking out the view, such as curtains or closed shades. The reason for this is that windows can act like mirrors at night, which can be disturbing to people living with dementia.
• Lights should be turned on even when the care partner does not perceive the need for additional lighting, because older adults with dementia require more light than younger healthy adults.
• Install night lights or nighttime LED lighting. Night lights with a sensor that make them turn on just when it is dark can help reduce the risk of falls, especially in the bathroom. Some families have found that strips of LEDs around doorways and along the pathway to the bathroom worked better than leaving a dim nightlight on in these areas. There are also products that fit under the toilet bowl and light up the area, making it easier to see at night.

Pump up the contrast

Contrast helps people with vision impairment distinguish between different objects in the environment. It can also help draw the attention of people who have difficulty staying on task or establishing orientation. Use the color red to make items stand out. The retina has more receptors to see red, making the color easier for most people to see.

What you can do…

1. Install brightly colored, easy to grasp handles and knobs on cabinet doors.
2. Replace white or beige switch plates with a color that contrasts from the wall paint.
3. Use placemats that differ significantly from the table and plate color.
4. If you have a white or beige toilet, paint the wall behind the toilet and sink a saturated color that makes the fixtures stand out.
5. Use brightly colored paint or tape on appliance knobs to make them more noticeable.

Special Lighting Can Result in Better Sleep

Dementia can cause severe disruptions in sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and confusion about whether it is day or night. Our bodies have an internal clock that tells us when it is time to be asleep and when it is time to be awake. This mechanism is located in the brain just above an area where the nerves travel to the eyes. Your clock controls the circadian rhythms in your body. These rhythms include body temperature, alertness and the daily cycle of many hormones. Circadian dysfunction is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

One way our clock is regulated is by exposure to bright light such as sunlight. Bright light therapy is a treatment used to help people enjoy a good night’s sleep and, therefore, feel better during the day. Many studies have shown that bright light therapy for two hours each morning improves nighttime sleep, increases daytime wakefulness and reduces evening agitation. It’s effective and easy because it doesn’t involve extra effort or time. For example, a person can have a light box switched on while they’re playing a game of cards, watching TV or having breakfast.

The boxes are fairly compact, sit on top of a table or desk and plug into an outlet. During a treatment session, the person has to sit within 18 to 24 inches away from the light and face in the direction of it. This allows the light to be received by the eyes so the body can take in the information and use it to regulate the rhythms that control when one sleeps and wakes.