Alzheimer's disease and the institution: Issues in environmental design

Abstract

Increasingly, owners and administrators of long term care facilities and chronic care hospitals are becoming involved in determining the most appropriate way of managing frail, elderly residents and patients with significant cognitive impairment or behavioural disorders, as a result of Alzheimer's disease or similar dementing illnesses. The extent to which existing or new facilities can be modified or designed to offset cognitive and physical losses, as well as to ensure a creative and supportive setting for preferred models of care delivery, is explored in this article. Specific topics addressed include:

• The size, design and layout of a unit,

• The use of colour, lighting and signage (to enhance way-finding), as well as

• The appropriate selection of furniture and equipment.

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