Recent years have seen an increase in the awareness of the environment's contribution to the functional abilities of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. This paper proposes that the environment should be viewed as an element in the care program of individuals with this condition, and that the principles used to plan and design environments should be consistent with the principles used in providing other aspects of care. Five basic principles derived from accepted concepts of good care are recommended. The environment should: (1) be clear and well structured; (2) be stable and familiar; (3) serve as a cue to behaviour; (4) serve as a cue to memory; and (5) support reality orientation.
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