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Using external memory aids to increase room finding by older adults with dementia
B A Nolan1, R M Mathews, M Harrison
1University of Kansas Gerontology Center, Dole Human Development Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.
American Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease and Other Dementias
|August 15, 2001
Summary
Memory aids like photos and names outside rooms significantly improved room-finding for dementia patients in special care units. This simple environmental intervention boosted accuracy to 100%, aiding staff and residents.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Environmental Psychology
- Dementia Care
Background:
- Nursing home residents with dementia often struggle to locate their rooms, causing distress and disrupting care.
- Special care units (SCUs) house individuals with severe cognitive impairments, necessitating tailored environmental supports.
Observation:
- The study assessed the impact of external memory aids on room-finding abilities in SCU residents with severe Alzheimer's disease.
- A multiple-baseline design experiment was employed to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness.
Findings:
- Combining a young adult photograph with a name sign outside bedrooms increased room-finding accuracy by over 50% for all three participants.
- Room-finding performance stabilized at 100% accuracy within days of implementing the environmental memory aids.
Implications:
- Simple, personalized environmental modifications can significantly enhance independence and reduce staff burden for dementia patients.
- This approach offers a low-cost, effective strategy for improving wayfinding in long-term care facilities.
- Further research could explore the long-term effects and applicability across different dementia severities and facility types.
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