Research has indicated that behavioral strategies such as cuing orientation within an environment may help reduce incontinence among dementia patients. However, there are no empirical studies that explore the relationship between incontinence and environmental modifications. This study compares the effectiveness of four nomenclatures such as “toilet” and “restroom” on the wayfinding abilities of residents in the early, middle, and advanced stages of dementia in two specially designed units. Results indicate that a series of directional arrows on the floor with the nomenclature “toilet” produced the most instances of utilization of public toilets in both units.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Ouslander JG, Zarit SH, Orr NK, et al: Incontinence among elderly community-dwelling dementia patients. Journal of American Geriatrics Society1990;38:440-445
2.
2. Noelker LS: Incontinence in elderly cared for by family. Gerontologist1987;27:194-200
3.
3. Ouslander JG: Urinary incontinence in nursing homes. Journal of American Geriatric Society1990;38:289-291
4.
4. Lewinsohn PM, Teri L: Clinical geropsychology: New directions in assessment and treatment. New York, publisher, 1983
5.
5. Resnick NM, Yalla S: Management of urinary incontinence in the elderly. The New England Journal of Medicine1985; 13:800-805
6.
6. Schnelle JF, Traughber B, Sowell VA, et al: Prompted voiding treatment of urinary incontinence in nursing home patients. Journal of American Geriatrics Society1990;37:1051-1057
7.
7. Kaltreider DL, Hu T, Igou JF, et al. Can reminders curb incontinence?Geriatric Nursing1990;11:17-17
8.
8. Coons DH: Wandering. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care and Related Disorders & Research1988;3:31-36
9.
9. Cooper A: Model for implementing color contrast in the environment for the elderly. The American journal of occupational therapy1985;39:253-258
10.
10. Calkins MP: Design for dementia: planning environments for the elderly and the confused. Owings Mills, National Health Publishing, 1988
11.
11. Palmer RM: Ambulatory management of urinary incontinence in the frail elderly. Geriatrics1990;45:61-66
12.
12. Hiatt LG: Long-term care facilities. Journal of Health Care Interior Design1990;2:195-205
13.
13. Hussian RA: Severe behavioral problems. In L. Teri and P. Lewinsohn (eds.): Geropsychological assessment and treatment. New York, Springer Publishing, 1986
14.
14. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. Cleveland Chapter 1987
15.
15. Duffy LM: Managing urinary incontinence in persons with Alzheimer's disease. The American Journal of Alzheimer's Care and Related Disorders & Research1987;2:13-19
16.
16. Zandi T, Woods S: Alzheimer's memory strategies. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care & Related Disorders & Research1988;7-11
17.
17. Namazi KH, Johnson BD: Environmental effects on incontinence problems of Alzheimer's disease patients. In Press
18.
18. Weisman JD: Way finding and architectural legibility: Design considerations in housing environments for the elderly. In V Regnier and J Pynoos (eds.): Housing for the elderly: Satisfaction and preferences. New York, Elsevier, 1987
19.
19. McKhann G, Drachman D, Fdlstein M, et al: Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: Report of the NINCDS-ADRDA work group under the auspices of Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Alzheimer's disease. Neurology1984;34:939-944
20.
20. Nebes R, Brady C: Focused and divided attention in Alzheimer's disease. Cortex1989;25:305-315.
21.
21. Rissenberg M, Glanzer M: Free recall and word finding ability in normal aging and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's' type: The effect of item concreteness. Journal of Gerontology1987;42:318-322
