LTC Facilities that Use Optical Illusions Note Reduced Wandering in Residents with Dementia

According to an article published on August 27, 2018, by CBC News (Canada), more long-term care facilities in Montreal are turning to optical illusions through painted wall murals to help limit wandering in residents with dementia and Alzheimer's. Many facilities already use magnetic bracelets that limit access to certain areas on the facility's grounds, but they have found that masking doors to restricted areas with murals reduces the “upsetting moment" and avoids anxiety or feelings of being “trapped" when residents attempt to enter an area they are not permitted to without supervision. These incidents may require staff intervention if the resident becomes too frustrated, which is stressful for both the resident and staff involved.