2026 Alzheimer's Awareness | 页面 8

ALZHEIMER’ S AWARENESS | BLUE IS FOR... The Psychology of Color
Page 8 Alzheimer’ s Awareness • Thursday, September 17, 2026 hometownsource. com

ALZHEIMER’ S AWARENESS | BLUE IS FOR... The Psychology of Color

Caregivers of people with dementia can use color to help them experience a better quality of life, Crestview Methodist Retirement Communities says.
WHITE
In general, Crestview says white is a difficult color for those with dementia to see. An all-white room may look circular and make it difficult to distinguish doors and walls. Food may be more difficult to see on a white plate and all-white bedding will blend together. The memory care facility says to consider painting accent walls or creating colorful focal points in an all-white room. Paint doors a different color so patients can find their way in and out of the space. Use colored plates, specifically red, to stimulate appetite and help patients see their food more clearly.
RED
Red colors promote participation and can be used to motivate activity. Red shoes, Crestview says, may promote walking and a red door may get patients out of their room more often. It’ s also known to stimulate appetite, making it a good choice for dinnerware. Be careful, though, red clothing can be intimidating for patients.
BLACK
Black is associated with grief and mourning and, for dementia patients, people wearing black may feel threatening or intimidating.
People with Lewy Body Dementia can be especially triggered by black clothing below the knee. Avoid wearing black pants or shoes around patients and opt for lighter colors. Avoid black rugs, mats or flooring because people with dementia may perceive them as a hole in the floor.
BLUE
Blue is a great color to wear when visiting a loved one or purchasing items for their space. It’ s a color of
relaxation and is a great choice for a room where they may spend a lot of time. The color may help people experience decreased feelings of confusion and increased feelings of concentration.
PURPLE
This color, Crestview says, stimulates imagination and spirituality. You may choose to use the color to draw a patient’ s attention to items that are more valuable or special. Crestview suggests a purple photo
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album with pictures of their loved ones.
YELLOW
Yellow inspires feelings of happiness and studies show people tend to smile more in yellow rooms, Crestview says, and people with dementia tend to wander into yellow rooms and stay there for a longer period of time compared to other colors.