October 7-13 is Mental Health Week, an annual, national event that aims to improve community awareness and interest in mental health and wellbeing. It culminates on World Mental Health Day (10 October).
More than 342,000 Australians are living with dementia—a number expected to increase to 400,000 in less than a decade.
Mental Health Week puts the spotlight on ways we can enhance the psychological wellbeing of the 1 in 5 people with dementia who also suffer from depression.
Anjel OBryant, a member of the Alzheimer’s Association and a colour response expert, aims to raise awareness of the scientifically-based impact of colour on people living with dementia.
‘Colour affects people physically, mentally and emotionally. ‘Repeated scientific research reveals that changing the colour of clothing, bed linen, walls, carpets, curtains, furniture and fittings can enhance the mood and motivation of people with dementia.
‘These studies confirm we can improve the mental health of people with dementia by using a research-based approach to the layout and decor of nursing homes, private homes and hospitals.
‘In recent years, dozens of nursing homes and hospitals in Australia and overseas have refurbished living areas and wards to make them ‘dementia-friendly’.
‘And the impacts can be dramatic. At one hospital in the United Kingdom, use of antipsychotic medication fell by nearly 40% three months after dementia patients were moved into a redesigned ward. In another study of 10 sites in the UK, researchers found that incidents of aggression fell after ‘dementia-friendly’ changes were made.
‘During Mental Health Week let’s join together to use scientifically-based colour response approaches to enhance the wellbeing of people living with dementia,’ she adds.
