Environment

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People with dementia are likely to benefit from continuity and familiarity. Hospital policy endorses the principle that patients known to have dementia should not be moved between wards unless required for their care and treatment.

Try to make surroundings as calm and familiar as possible.

Make use of signage for toilets and other rooms to improve the chances of a person finding their way around. Good signage will use a picture rather than a word.

A good sensory environment should be maintained with lighting and free of shadows or glare. Patients should be able to see a clock from their bed area.

People with dementia have a need to be occupied, purposeful and active. A lack of occupation may lead to a person with dementia behaving in ways that cause difficulties for themselves and others, or it may lead to a person withdrawing and losing motivation.

• Encourage families to bring in anything that may help keep a person occupied.
• Find out from family what interests a person has.
• Books, photos and rummage bags may help.