The benefits of dementia-friendly colours

Using dementia friendly colours to make life easier for someone living with dementia

People living with dementia may experience their environment differently to those without a neurodegenerative disorder. With things like memory, perception and eyesight affected depending on the type of dementia, caregivers may need to consider alternative ways to interact with older adults living with this condition, and design their environment and activities to suit. Here, we are exploring dementia-friendly colours, their potential benefits, the psychology behind them, their practical implementation within a home, and how these colours could have a positive impact on the daily experiences of people with dementia.At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about dementia care, we can help.

What are ‘dementia-friendly colours’?

We are all psychologically influenced by colour on a daily basis, and this is also true for people with dementia. In fact, this can be extremely helpful if they experience symptoms such as memory loss, communication issues, struggles with daily tasks, impaired decision making, perception changes, and mood or personality changes. You can learn more about the symptoms of dementia in our guide to what dementia is. Studies suggest people living with dementia can experience difficulty distinguishing and recognising certain colours, so thinking carefully about the colours used within their living space can have positive effects on their decision making and mood, by making things clearer for them in their environment and promoting feelings of calmness and ease when they may otherwise feel uncomfortable or scared. You may learn more in our guide to how dementia affects you emotionally.Selecting dementia-friendly colours can be a helpful way to make daily tasks easier for them, and make moving around their home less confusing, stressful or scary. One study published in the Journal of Dementia Care explored the impact of colour on people with dementia, and found the following colours could have some benefits:

Red

This bold colour can make a room feel warmer in temperature, but appear smaller in size. Interestingly, research suggested red could stimulate the appetite of someone with dementia by as much as 33%, so serving their dinner on a red plate could help someone who is not eating enough. Red has also been linked to stimulated brain activity, but research suggests seeing red before a cognitive task could undermine performance. As it offers a lot of options for contrasting colours, it can be useful for people with dementia who need brighter colours to see and recognise certain objects.

Blue

Blue is thought to be the colour of calmness, peace and relaxation, as it is associated with natural elements like the sky or the ocean. Research shows blue could lower blood pressure and anxiety, and light blue is thought to be an excellent colour to paint a room for a more relaxing environment that could even appear larger. Blue is known as the colour of trust, dependability and competence, which could be helpful for those with dementia who display regular paranoia with caregivers. In contrast to red, serving meals on a blue plate was found to reduce unnecessary overeating by up to 28%. According to Psychology Today, “colours that are not very saturated but relatively light—colors like pale sage greens, subtle blues, or dusty oranges are soothing to look at”. This might suggest that light blue could be a helpful colour for patients with dementia who become easily irritated or anxious.

Green

Another colour associated with nature and calmness, green is thought to be linked to renewal and growth. According to Dementia UK, green has been proven to reduce nervous system activity to create a sense of calm and peace. One shade to keep in mind for those with dementia is lime green, which has been found to be a useful, vibrant hue that ageing eyes may see more easily. For this reason, lime green is a great way to draw attention to certain objects within the home.

Yellow 

Yellow is well-known as the colour of happiness, joy and energy, and is also associated with friendship. Being the colour of the sun, it promotes warmth, but can also suggest illness depending on the hue of yellow. Studies have found people are more likely to lose their temper when in a yellow room, so if you are caring for a person with dementia who regularly becomes irritated or angry, stay mindful of whether they are seeing a lot of yellow within their living space, and consider changing this to see if it has a positive impact on their mood.

Black 

Particularly for those with Lewy Body Dementia, black can become a frightening colour due to their perception of their environment changing. Research shows wearing black below the knee could result in the person feeling intimidated, and dark coloured rugs or tiles could create the illusion of a hole in the ground, which can cause fear or avoidance. Black is also associated with feelings of aggression, which could result in behavioural issues for those with dementia such as “sundowning”, so be mindful of the use of black in the home of someone with this condition, and consider making things brighter with different paint colours or lighting. 

Some simple changes you could make within the home include:

• Painting walls light colours like blue and green to promote calmness and potentially reduce the level of anxiety felt by a person with dementia 
• Painting a bedroom door or door frame a bright colour to help them identify their room or other areas in the house 
• Providing brightly coloured crockery (such as red) and other table items to make mealtimes more enjoyable and easier
• Paying attention to things in the home that appear to be at different levels, which could be confusing for someone with dementia
• Putting brightly coloured tape (such as lime green) on appliances they use frequently to help them find these more easily and prompt their use as part of their routine 
• Making light switches stand out from the wall to help them find these more easily 
• Mapping out pathways with contrasting area rugs or bright tape to help them navigate their way to frequently visited places, such as the bathroom
• Removing dark coloured rugs or low furniture to reduce their anxiety about walking around safely in their home 
• Creating more contrast in the bathroom area to avoid everything appearing white or light colours, such as installing a colourful toilet seat or bright grab rails for stability
• Avoiding use of overly busy patterns or too many bright colours, as this could lead to confusion, overwhelm or overstimulation for someone with dementia 

The NHS also suggests painting the front door a recognisable colour so it is easier for them to find their way home if they become disorientated

What else can caregivers do to enhance the living environment for dementia patients?

As well as some typical home adaptations for older people, some other ways you can design the ideal dementia-friendly environment for your loved one include:

• Using smart devices so they can ask questions about the time or date any time they become confused 
• Ensuring there is adequate lighting throughout the home for safety and to avoid them becoming frightened or confused
• Making sure no flooring in the home appears slippery or hazardous to a person with dementia, as this can lead to them avoiding these areas
• Making sure there are no trip-hazards throughout their living space 
• Providing obvious markers or signage to indicate where important places are, like the bathroom or their bed
• Keeping things in the same order within the home so they always know where their belongings are and can easily find them   

You may find more useful advice about the physical needs of those with dementia in our guide to the physical symptoms of dementia.Ultimately, it helps to think about your loved one’s unique challenges based on their health conditions and dementia diagnosis, and consider the steps you could take to create a living space that is simple to navigate, and calming for them to be in.If you or a loved one requires specialist dementia care, including advice on home changes to help manage challenging symptoms, our friendly, experienced Care Professionals can provide the help you need to create a safe, enjoyable environment for a person with dementia. From general companionship and mobility care within the home, to continence care and specialist care for advanced dementia patients, whatever support you need, you can reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your options.We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.