Posted 12-20-99

Tips on boosting contrast to aid Alzheimer's patients' vision

Think high contrast when establishing a living environment for persons with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

"Visual deficit is often undiagnosed so one should assume that there is a contrast sensitivity deficit if working with these persons," explains Grover C. Gilmore, professor of psychology and director of CWRU's Perception Lab.

He offers a few ideas on how to make modify living areas to improve contrast and help these individuals overcome hidden visual deficits:

• Use tableware or eating utensils which give a good contrast to the background of the table or place mat.
• Use dishes which helps the food to stand out in high contracts. (These table setting changes have been shown to increase the food intake of elderly adults.)
• Contrast the colors of the electrical switch plate and switch. For example, with a white switch, use a brown switch plate.
• Install door knobs which contrast with the doors.
• When storing food in the refrigerator, label the containers with large, high-contrast letters (like large black print on a white label).
• Use a toothbrush that contrasts with countertop.
• Supply the elderly adult with a remote control that has large white buttons and large dark lettering.
• Edge indoor and outdoor steps with bold paint or metal stripping in colors that offer good contrast with the steps.
• Install a motion detector to activate lighting to avoid having to enter a dark room to find a light switch.

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