Environmental Design for Behavioral Regulation in People With Dementia

Environmental Design for Behavioral Regulation in People With Dementia

Individuals with dementia present with changes in behaviors throughout the continuum of cognitive decline. Environmental features may be influential in behavioral regulation. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of environmental design protocols in older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Thirty subjects with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease as primary dementia type, and their caregivers, will be randomly assigned to one of three arms: standard care; standard environmental design protocol; or personalized environmental design protocol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men or women aged 21-90, inclusive.
• Living at home in the community with one primary caregiver.
• Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as primary dementia type of moderate to severe stages
• Stable medical condition for one month prior to screening visit
• Stable medications for 4 weeks prior to screening visit
• Caregiver report of challenges related to behaviors within 4 weeks of study enrollment
• Caregiver willing to participant throughout duration of study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable medical conditions for 3 months prior to screening
• Wheelchair or bed bound.
• Residence in skilled nursing facility or facility-based care.
• Skin lesions or skin abnormalities throughout upper extremities.