Research studies and anecdotal experience suggest that factors in the physical environment, such as lighting, color or noise, can greatly impact the behavior of a person with Alzheimer's. Making changes and adjustments to the home environment can help make day-to-day activities easier and safer for the person with Alzheimer's and can reduce specific symptoms, such as wandering.
At first, changes may need only be simple adjustments, such as keeping often-used items in a certain place, labeling doors or drawers so the person can find things easily, or using notes and timers to remind the person to do certain things. As the disease progresses, more extensive measures may be necessary to ensure the person's safety and help reduce problematic behaviors.

How can modifying the home help the person with Alzheimer's?
People who have Alzheimer's may eventually lose access to what has been called the "map room" of the brain, the systems that orient us in time and space. Wandering and losing one's way to or from destinations - even within one's own home - may result. One of the goals of so-called "environmental modification" is to help people with the disease overcome the loss of these internal mapping abilities.
A great deal of clinical experience and research has demonstrated that when the physical environments of people with Alzheimer's are specially designed to support their abilities, they are able to remain more independent and socially engaged, have fewer paranoid delusions and aggressive outbreaks, and be less anxious. Home modifications can also jog short-term memories and help the person with Alzheimer's access long-term memories. Perhaps most importantly, by making the environment more "Alzheimer's-friendly," the person can live more safely and dependence on others for daily activities may be delayed for as long as possible.

^ Back to Top

What types of modifications are beneficial?
There is little question that environmental modifications improve day-to-day functioning in people who have Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are still investigating which modifications are most beneficial and how things like lighting, music and furniture placement might interact to affect behavior. A number of specific home modifications have been shown to be beneficial in reducing certain problematic behaviors in people with Alzheimer's:
low levels of light during meals (this may improve eating habits);
simply furnished spaces with minimal distractive clutter;
consistent background noise, especially music of the person's choosing or simulated nature sounds;
placing objects that cue memories in clear view, such as photographs, mementoes and familiar furniture;
ensuring privacy and personalizing space - especially if the afflicted person spends time or resides in a healthcare facility outside of the home.