Does Wall Color Really Help Soothe Anxiety Caused by Alzheimer’s?

In the latter stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s normal to see your mom or dad become restless. You may notice your mom never sits still. Your dad gets up to do a chore, forgets why he got up, and sits back down. People with Alzheimer’s often become very anxious. Loud noises and busy areas can agitate your mom or dad. To help relieve some of the anxiety and agitation, create a calm soothing space within your parent’s home. One of the best ways to get started is by picking the right wall color.

Colors That Have a Tendency to Calm and Soothe

Minnesota State University did a study on colors and stress. Researchers found that red made participants feel more stressed than those in green or white rooms. This isn’t new. In 1810, Goethe released Theory of Colors. In this guide, he described how colors like red, yellow, and orange lead to excitement. Other researchers have found that red evokes stronger reactions like aggression or anger.

Shades of green, blue, and white tend to be more calming. Experts in feng shui recommend blue saying it helps lower blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rates. Lavender is another color experts at Sherwin-Williams recommend for creating a calming environment, especially if you pair it with fresh lavender to add aromatherapy to the area. Beige and gray are other soothing colors.

Contrasts Are Important

Vision changes in many Alzheimer’s. Contrasts are necessary to keep floors and walls from blending together. If the wall and floor color are similar, your mom or dad may not be able to tell where the wall ends and the floor begins. It can lead to fear and agitation. Make sure there are strong contrasts to help your parent know where it’s safe to walk and where there are doors, stairs, and windows.

It’s also important to make sure furnishings stand out. You don’t want your mom or dad to walk into tables or bump lamps because they don’t seem different to the wall color. A soothing wall color paired with furnishings in black or a primary color often work well together.

If your parent has Alzheimer’s and does get agitated, make sure you have a trusted caregiver available to provide you with breaks. Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s is incredibly stressful. You will need to get away and decompress. Senior care agencies have professionals available for respites. While you go out and spend time with friends, a caregiver makes sure your parent is safe. Ask about respite coverage today by calling a senior care agency.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Worcester, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860 .