Alzheimer's disease is closely related to vision difficulties. According to The Alzheimer's Society, nearly 60 percent of people diagnosed with the condition experience loss of visual capacities in one or more areas. The condition is not caused by changes in the eye; instead, the brain is unable to perceive visual signals. Understanding visual problems associated with Alzheimer's disease is important because changes concerning safety, lifestyle and activities of daily living should be implemented. Vision loss causes an Alzheimer's victim to become lost in familiar surroundings and show signs of anxiety.
Motion
A 1999 study by Drs. Charles Duffy and Sheldon Tetewsky of the University of Rochester Center for Visual Studies on "motion blindness" suggests people with Alzheimer's may not detect motion. Most people view the world actively, similar to a movie. For those suffering from Alzheimer's, life is seen as a set of still frames, one at a time. The study suggested Alzheimer's victims viewing the world in "chopped" segments become more confused by their surroundings.
Depth
Identifying depth causes three dimensional objects to look flat. For example, a toilet may look like a dark hole in the ground causing a person to fear using the restroom. Replacing a white toilet rim with a black rim allows a person to visually see the toilet more accurately. A rug on the floor may appear as a dark pit. Loss of depth perception causes fear and anxiety in Alzheimer's patients.
Color
The ability to see color gradually diminishes as people age, and even more so or Alzheimer's patients. People diagnosed with Alzheimer's have a greater difficulty seeing shades in the blue and violet color palettes. It is suggested to use the color red because the eye's retina has more receptors for the color.
Contrast
A person may have difficulty identifying contrast, especially in a room or hallway. Avoid using monochromatic color schemes in living areas. Identifying where the wall ends and the floor begins is not easy for an Alzheimer's victim to identify. It is suggested to paint baseboards, doors, cabinetry and hardware contrasting colors to allow a person to identify the depth and dimension of spaces. Increase the contrast in a room by changing light bulbs to higher watt bulbs that reduce glare.
