An interesting story about one assisted living company’s approach to designing an environment for people with Alzheimer’s disease has been lighting up social media, even garnering a feature on national news programs.And for good reason. Lantern Assisted Living Facilities have created an environment that meets people with Alzheimer’s and dementia where they are in terms of memory. For this generation, that means going back to a time when front porches were used for socializing, the smell of homemade bread was common in the house and people spent time enjoying the great outdoors instead of sitting in front of a television. Lantern CEO, Jean Makesh started to think about the way that environment has an effect on people — particularly on people who struggle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This prompted him to create a living space for patients that had a ‘30s and ‘40s feel to it. Instead of looking like a sterile hallway, Makesh worked to create homey rooms that were designed like front-porches to houses on a street where a patient may have grown up. However, these weren’t the only features Makesh dreamed up for this innovative project. Features Designed to Make Seniors with Alzheimer’s Feel at Home Lantern communities have indoor “front porches” that serve as the entrance to the resident’s individual suite. Among the uniquely designed features are:
Alzheimer’s & Environment: Creating a Supportive Living Space at Home While it probably isn’t feasible to add a front porch to the entrance of your senior loved one’s bedroom or to replace their carpeting with turf-like grass, there are steps you can take to help make their home more comfortable for them.
Do you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Have you noticed whether they feel better with certain types of decor that reminds them of a familiar place? What small changes have you made to their environment that have made a big impact in their lives? Let us know in the comments below.
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