Effects of Visual Cues and Education for People Who Live Within Long Term Care Communities to Assist in Wayfinding
Alzheimer Disease, Alzheimer Dementia, Age-Related Memory Disorders
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Alzheimer Disease focused on measuring Alzheimer's disease, Age related memory disorders, Environment design, Long term care, Dementia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 62 or older;
- Wayfinding impairment identified by the subject or staff and exhibited at baseline, including problems finding their way among three defined locations (these may differ among care communities);
- Ability to move self either independently by walking or using mobility aids (self-mobile; any mobility aids are acceptable)
- Ability to communicate with researchers and follow directions
- Ability to see and read signs in English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Chronic health conditions that impair the ability to participate in the study, such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (limiting movement) or terminal illness;
- Signs of rapid deterioration in health during the past 6 months as evidenced by staff communication or medical records.
Sites / Locations
- Grand Valley State University
- Brush Development
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Control
Salient Cues
Spaced retrieval education
There will be no modifications to décor or signage in the existing care community, and no education on wayfinding. However, subjects will receive the same testing that is provided for the other arms at the designated time periods.
Special signs and salient cues will be added to the community along the routes being measured for wayfinding. The cues will be comprised of pictures, objects, and signage.
This condition will have signage and cues as in Arm 2 added to the care communities. In addition, a spaced retrieval (SR) memory intervention strategy will be implemented individually for each resident participating in the study to help them remember the presence and function of the environmental wayfinding cues.