Home Environment Considerations for People with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to develop a home assessment specifically designed for people with Dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT), and determine its effectiveness in designing appropriate environmental strategies. Since the home environment plays an integral role in monitoring ADL performance and behaviors of the AD population, an understanding of how environmental cues influence function and conduct is crucial when assessing and developing environmental intervention strategies. The new assessment, using a person-environment fit theoretical model, assisted the occupational therapist in evaluating the environment's legibility and stability to ensure a safe environment through specific physical, psychological, and social cues.