What Are Some Dementia Friendly Colours?

As dementia progresses, little things in our surroundings can influence a person’s mood and behaviour. What was once a minor detail in the home, such as the colour of the sofa or kitchen cabinets, plays a huge role in someone’s everyday living with dementia. 

Colours often become harder to distinguish for people living with dementia. They may also be confusing and anxiety-provoking, such as black floor tiles looking like holes. Today, we’ll explore dementia-friendly colours and why they’re so important. 

Why Are Colours Important for Living Well with Dementia?

The brain can process colours quicker than it can process words or other forms of information. Dementia can affect a person’s ability to distinguish between objects, but using contrasting colours can help them see everything around them more clearly. 

Contrast, such as black handrails against white walls, helps the brain clearly define objects and draw attention to them.

The NHS recommends: 

• Use contrasting colours for walls and flooring
  
• Paint the doors and banisters contrasting colours to the walls and floors, and choose furniture that starkly stands out in each room
  
• Use bright colours for plates, bowls and mugs, so they stand out against the table and kitchen counters
  
• Avoid bold patterns, such as stripes, as they can be confusing and disorienting for someone with dementia

What Are the Best Colours for Dementia? 

Certain colours can serve as tools to help individuals with dementia, known as dementia-friendly colours. Certain colours can help people live well with dementia, while others can hinder them and make everyday tasks more difficult. 

Red

Red has been shown to easily capture people with dementia’s attention and increase brain wave activity. It contrasts easily with many other colours and can even stimulate appetite by up to 33%. 

Red-coloured blankets and pillows can increase the perceived temperature in a room, which can be helpful if your loved one often feels the cold. 

Blue

Research has shown that the colour blue can lower blood pressure and anxiety in older adults, making it a great colour to indirectly influence a person’s health and well-being. Painting the walls blue can also create a calming environment, making it a good choice for the bedroom. 

It’s worth noting that people with dementia can often mistake dark blue for black, so steer clear of this colour for flooring, rugs and low furniture. 

Pink

Pink is very similar to red and can have a calming effect on people who spend a lot of time around it. Certain research notes that pink eases feelings of aggression, which can be common in late-stage dementia. 

Pink can also be a good contrasting colour if red is too bright for an individual’s preference. 

Green

The colour green has been shown to reduce activity in the central nervous system, leaving individuals feeling more peaceful and relaxed. Lime green can draw attention to people, furniture and decorations. 

Green is also the last colour people with dementia often lose the ability to see. This makes it a great option for creating visual cues and contrasts, such as a lime-green toilet seat in an otherwise white bathroom.  

Are Any Colours Not Good for Dementia? 

While some colours can be beneficial for people living with dementia, others may cause confusion or other negative symptoms. 

Black

Black can often look like vast, empty spaces for people with dementia, making them think that they’re looking at a hole rather than the floor or a piece of furniture. They’ll often go out of their way to avoid these ‘holes’ to prevent hurting themselves. 

While black should be avoided as much as possible in the home of someone living with dementia, it can be used to your benefit. For example, if a loved one has a dangerous tendency to wander outside alone, placing a black doormat may help prevent it. 

Yellow

Yellow is often considered a sunny, cheerful colour, but research suggests that more people actually lose their tempers in yellow-coloured rooms. If an individual with dementia often exhibits aggression as a symptom, it may be beneficial to limit their exposure to yellow furniture and surroundings. 

Benefits of Using Colour for Dementia 

Colour can play a big role in the well-being of people living with dementia, especially in how their brain reacts and thinks. While people with dementia may experience colours differently, evidence suggests that it can be a positive influence on overall mood. 

There are several benefits to using colour to make a home more dementia-friendly, including: 

• Increased memory
  
• Influences mood and behaviour
  
• Signals visual cues
  
• Boosts appetite and fuels energy

How to Add Colour to the Home

If you’re hoping to use colours to boost a loved one’s overall quality of life as they navigate their dementia diagnosis, there are several ways to do this:

• Choose fun, dementia-friendly colours: Make sure furniture contrasts with the walls and flooring so it is easily seen.
  
• Highlight key areas: Paint doors and door frames to help them stand out, or use coloured tape on banisters to help your loved one navigate their home. 
• Brighten up the bathroom: Swap out the toilet seat and handrails for brightly coloured alternatives to make the bathroom safer to use independently.
  
• Use colour for energy: Reds and oranges are best-used in dining areas to increase appetite and boost energy, while blues and greens can be used to create a peaceful environment and reduce agitation.
  
• Visual cues and signs: Create signs with photos of objects on cupboards and drawers to indicate what’s inside.
  
• Don’t overdo it with colour: Too much colour can cause overstimulation, which can cause distress in people with dementia.
  
• Try art therapy: Spend quality time with your loved one by enjoying arts and crafts together, and hang the finished product on the wall to evoke fond memories. 

How Trinity Homecare Can Help

At Trinity Homecare, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional dementia care in the comfort of home. Our fully-trained, compassionate visiting or live-in carers will work with your loved one to properly manage their symptoms and progression. 

Our goal is to support your loved one’s quality of life through delivering the best standard of care possible.

With Trinity Homecare, you can expect: 

• One-to-one support at home
• Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
• Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
• Home carers carefully matched to your needs
• CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services

Talk to us today 

At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care. 

Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.