Did you know that colors can stimulate mood?
Did you know that certain colors can draw and hold your attention better than other colors?
Did you know that some colors can even alter behavior? It’s true!
The color wheel holds a great deal of power over how we interpret the world around us. The same is true for those who live with dementia. The use of color is immensely important to help stimulate appetite, can be used for way finding, and can even promote greater participation. As a result, caregivers are often very intentional about the color of the spaces those living with memory loss will spend time in, as well as the clothes they wear, the plates they eat on, and more.
If you are caregiver or family member of someone living with dementia, here are some of the top ways color may influence the daily lives of your loved one.
White
-In general, white is difficult for those with dementia to see.
-An all-white room may look circular to them. Consider painting accent walls or creating colorful focal points to help them better understand the space.
-A white door may be hard to distinguish against a whitewall. Therefore, they may be less active outside of the room because they cannot perceive the location of the door. Consider painting the door a different color to help them find the entrance and exit to the space.
-Food may be harder to see on a white plate, therefore, plating food on a red plate will not only stimulate appetite, but it will help them see their food more clearly.
-Bed sheets, blankets, and pillows that are all white will blend together in their mind. Therefore, use different colored sheets, blankets, and pillows to help them distinguish between all the things they need to get comfy.
Black
-Black is a color often associated with more negative emotions like grief and mourning.
-Seeing others in black clothing may feel intimidating or even frightening to those with dementia. Those living with Lewy Body Dementia are especially triggered by black clothing beneath the knee. Therefore, you should avoid dark pants and shoes, opting for lighter colors instead.
-For those with dementia, black welcome mats or flooring may look like a hole in the floor. This may hinder a person from feeling they can move past this area safely.
Blue
-Blue promotes feeling of relaxation making it a great color to wear when visiting a loved one. It is also a fantastic choice of color for a room where they may spend a great deal of time with decreased feelings of confusion and increased feelings of concentration.
Yellow
-Yellow inspires feelings of happiness as is it strongly associated with sunshine.
-Studies show people tend to smile more in yellow rooms.
-People with dementia tend to wander into yellow rooms and will stay there for a longer period of time compared to any other color.
Purple
-Purple stimulates imagination and spirituality.
-Because purple is often associated with royalty or high value, caregivers may choose to use the color purple to draw their loved one’s attention to items that may be more valuable or special. For example, a purple photo album with pictures of their loved ones may be picked up and treasured more than if it was presented in other colors.
Green
-Green stimulates energy but can also promote relaxation. Most importantly, it is one of the last colors we lose the ability to see. Making green an excellent color to wear when spending time with your loved one.
-In our minds, green means go, therefore, seeing green supports neurological sequencing. For example, text in green ink or font may be easier to read than other colors. Also, you may consider putting green tape on items like walkers or canes to help them find the item more easily.
Red
-Red tends to promote participation which means it is a powerful color to use to motivate activity. For example, red shoes may promote more walking, a red ball may improve focus during a game of catch, and a red door may encourage them to get out of their room more often.
-Red is known to stimulate appetite and is a perfect color for plating food, plus the food is much easier to see compared to a white plate.
-Because red is such a bold color, avoid wearing this color when spending time with your loved one as it may be perceived as an intimidating color.
Experts encourage caregivers to experiment and find which shades work best for their loved ones. Typically, when choosing a shade, neither the bold and bright, nor the dark are the best fit for those with dementia. Instead, opt for the shade that lands more in the middle to get the greatest benefit.
Other helpful resources on the topic can be found at the following links:
Joshua Freitas: Creating New Ways to Care - YouTube
The Role of Different Colors in Alzheimer's and Dementia
