Colours and memories | Right Decisions

Colours and memories animation

We often choose colours based on general ideas about psychology: reds and oranges for warmth, blues and greens for calm. However, for someone living with dementia, their personal history can override general colour rules. Here, staff try to understand a residents negative response to the colours of her surroundings and create a solution that doesn't involve medication.

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Consent has been gained from all those who shared their stories.

Information about 'colours and memories'

Please note: These are examples of what staff have done that have led to better outcomes for the people involved. However, it is important to recognise they will not suit everyone’s needs but serve to offer potential suggestions and to encourage you to explore alternative solutions that may help. Each example is the result of firstly getting to know and understand the individual, being curious to find solutions to providing better care and closely monitoring the outcomes of any changes made. If initiating suggestions given from the stories shared, we would encourage you to safeguard that person-centred care is in place and that you complement your learning from these stories with the relevant training needed to ensure you have the confidence and knowledge required.

Now take time to reflect.

Think of an individual you support…

Would this advice work for the person you support?

What else do you need to think about?

How can you implement this? What help do you need to do this?

Do you disagree with any aspect of the video?

Links to more resources about 'colours and memories'

Environmental assessment tools that staff can use to help them to develop dementia friendly environments.
The University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre have developed Environment for Ageing Dementia Design Assessment Tool (EADDAT). This is a series of resources used to assess environments used by people with dementia. It is in two tiers the first has no charge where there is a cost for the second.
DesCHA’s booklet ‘Designing homes for healthy cognitive aging’ offers information to help you understand the basics of ageing and dementia friendly design.
Dementia UK provide guidance and a template for creating a life story.
Specific learning resources to help health and social care professionals understand the complex relationship between trauma and dementia and to support routine implementation of trauma informed practice in dementia care.
Age Scotland offer guidance on creating an enabling home for someone living with dementia.

General links for all resources