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A creative idea helps residents with dementia feel at home
Dr. Andy Hackett, who had regularly visited the nursing home, suggested the idea for the doors. Dr. Hackett is a psycho-geriatrician with the senior’s Mental Health Program affiliated with the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital’s outreach program. Dr. Hackett was pleased to state: “ The paintings are so realistic that I almost lost my way looking for the washroom. This environmental approach has resulted in far less use of psychotropic medication to prevent wandering.” Since the doors have been painted, the staff at the nursing home feels it has been quite effective. Judy Turcotte, team leader and an RPN said, “They are a definite improvement, residents look and go by.” The camouflaged doors are a distinct deterrent. For one family, the camouflaged doors make them feel that their loved one is safer and more secure. They were concerned that she would enter an area that was “off- limits”, and become more confused or agitated. Hiding the doors in this manner has proven to be very successful for their loved one and the family is quite pleased with the result. An architect was asked his opinion on how to camouflage the door. For aesthetic reasons, he suggested to blend the doors into the wall by painting the doorframes and glass a similar colour as the adjoining walls. This approach seemed logical and would certainly give a sense of calm to a confused or agitated mind. However, in keeping with the “home-like” atmosphere at Algonquin, co-founder Zena Monestime wanted a more comfortable, relaxed and friendly approach. A nursing staff member knew of a relative who liked to paint in his spare time. Mrs. Monestime invited Vince Marcotte, a local resident of Mattawa, to discuss his concepts of how to camouflage the doors. He suggested that each door’s theme reflect the area that surrounded the door. He painted three watercolour sketches for each door. To get staff supported, he asked staff from that door area’s departments to select the sketch to be used for that door, then worked from there. Doors were primed first, and then painted with enamel paint. Mr. Marcotte estimated each door took about 10 hours to paint. The total cost to the nursing home was under $350 dollars and included all three doors. The door leading into the kitchen area was painted like a closet with coats hanging in it and has a three dimensional effect. One door is painted like a library with books and a chair; and the third depicts a window scene looking out over a river. Each door blends in with the surroundings and is very attractive to look at. The library scene is at the end of a hallway and from a distance looks three-dimensional. One day a staff member tried to sit in the chair. The closet is so realistic; one is tempted to hang their coat in it. Cheryl Charbonneau, activity aide, says, “The doors are great and they’ve really worked. I’ve seen the difference myself. They’re also decorative and many residents like the way they look.” Several residents used to wander into the staff areas several times an hour, getting agitated when trying to seek a way of out the halls. Staff spent valuable minutes per hour seeking out residents, reassuring and redirecting them to resident friendly areas. Eventually, the nursing home plans to have the exit doors artistically painted to blend in with the background. This way, a safe and quick exit in times of need will be available, yet the camouflaged doors will deter a resident from using the doors inappropriately. The staff would like the exit doors to blend in with the background in keeping with the home-like environment of the rest of the nursing home. The Algonquin Nursing home is a 73-bed long-term care facility located in the Mattawa, Ontario. Approximately 15% of the residents suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. One of the challenging behaviours presented by people suffering from the disease is wandering. “Every day, health care personnel fight and struggle to keep people with dementia from leaving buildings and wandering into dangerous traffic..” But on the other hand, “Freedom of movement is critical to quality dementia care”…. (Gentlecare, Moyra Jones, Hartley & Marks Publishers, 1999) By using teachings of Moyra Jones’ “Gentlecare” approach, Algonquin Nursing Home is providing support to residents in a positive, simple and comfortable way. The Gentlecare program works by stressing the dignity and self-respect of those suffering from dementia. “Gentlecare designs a prosthesis of care or enviro-match between people with dementing illness and: the physical space in which they live” (Gentlecare, Moyra Jones, Hartley & Marks Publishers, 1999) The challenge that the Algonquin Nursing Home faced was to explore and find a solution to help ensure residents could continue their walking and wandering in a safe and secure environment. The painted doors seem to hinge on the right path. | |
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