The relationship between colour and dementia
Are you or a loved one living with dementia?
Likely, your first thought on diagnosis wasn’t – ‘Gosh, I should replace that black and white kitchen tiling.’ Colours are often overlooked in the bigger picture of living well with dementia, but it turns out colours can affect a person with dementia a great deal.
Dementia can appear in many forms and usually affects the memory. It also abnormally affects how the brain perceives things like other people, surroundings and yes, colours. Helping Hands offer superb visiting care and live in care which specialises in dementia care.
For many people living with dementia, colours become harder to distinguish, with many people struggling to see the difference between blue and black. For instance, your previously mentioned black and white kitchen tiling you spent the whole weekend fitting can appear as if black holes are carved out of the floor.
These can also appear to be different heights or levels which can be distressing for someone living with dementia. After all, no one wants to fall into an empty cavern of nothingness when making their morning brew!
What does each colour mean?
Take a look at these various colours, their symbols and meanings.
Red
Usually represents strong emotions, such as love, passion and anger. It’s also used to gain attention; stop signs, fire engines and red lipstick. Love symbols are usually coloured red, such as hearts and roses. Vampires love this colour.
Blue
Commonly linked to peace, tranquillity and calming emotions such as trust and relaxation. This is often why people tend to dreamily stare into blue-eyed people’s eyes. It is the same colour as the sky and sea, and so is often linked to nature.
Green
It is linked to nature and springtime with the regrowth of grass and flowers; hence the term ‘green-fingered’ for a gardener. It is also famously the colour of greed and money, with Shakespeare coining the term ‘green-eyed jealousy’.
Yellow
The colour of happiness, joy, energy and friendship. It is the colour of the Sun, faith and warmth, with it often being used as a colour for religious figures and royalty throughout history. It is also the colour of caution, cowardice and illness.
What do different colours mean to people with dementia?
Red
This can increase brain wave activity in people with dementia and easily capture their attention. It provides great contrast shades and can stimulate appetite by as much as 33%. Red-coloured blankets and pillows are even known to increase the perceived temperature in a room!
Blue
Blue, green, and purple are difficult to distinguish for people with dementia. However, research shows that blue can lower blood pressure and anxiety. A plate with a dark blue hue is also shown to decrease appetite by up to 28%, so it’s a good colour for the waistline.
Green
According to Dementia UK, green has been proven to lower the amount of activity in the central nervous system. This results in a sensation of peace and relaxation. A lime green colour has been shown to draw attention to individuals, locations, and objects.
Yellow
Even though yellow is usually a happy, fun colour, studies have shown that people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow room. If a person with dementia starts to display aggressive behaviour, limiting the amount of yellow in their space is a good idea.
Benefits of colour for dementia
Colour can therefore play an important role in the well-being of people with dementia. Colour affects everyone’s brains and how we think. Even though people living with dementia may view colours differently, evidence suggests that colours can have a huge effect on their overall mood. Using different colours can make a difference in making a home more dementia friendly.
What are the benefits of colour?
Ways in which colour can be used for people with dementia
Maybe you or a loved one living with dementia just happens to be the next Van Gogh. If you are so lucky, colours and their impact will be no stranger to you. Not all of us can paint The Last Supper like Leonardo, but why not give it a try if you’re feeling inspired? Or if you want to dabble in colour to aid dementia in a slightly easier way, try decorating your home to make it more dementia friendly.
Make sure important objects like light switches, toilet seats or plates are coloured brightly and contrast with their surroundings. Positively emotive colours, no patterns and calm, soothing tones will have a great impact on their environment. Understanding the person and their responses to certain colours may help with their overall mood. Perhaps Leonardo should’ve just bought a calming blue rug to save himself the hassle.
How are colours used?
How Helping Hands can help with dementia care
At Helping Hands, we can help with dementia.
Our expertly trained carers offer either visiting or live-in care to wherever your home may be. Our training is dementia-specific, which means our superstar carers will work with you and your condition. We want you to have the best possible quality of life, and with our experience and compassionate carers, you will do!