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The Supportive Home: Color Contrast

ByMargaret Jarrell

In this series, we’ll provide simple checklists with practical ideas for making your home more supportive for older adults and people living with dementia.

Contrast refers to the difference in brightness or color between two objects or surfaces. 

Here are 3 reasons why contrast matters:

  • Contrast can improve visibility: People with dementia can often have difficulty seeing or distinguishing between objects, particularly those that are similar in color or in low light conditions. Using high contrast colors can help improve visibility and make it easier for people with dementia to see, identify, and interact with objects such as food on a plate, their toothbrush on the sink, the toilet in the bathroom, or their clothing laid out on the bed.
  • Contrast can provide cues: Using contrast to create visual cues can be helpful for people with dementia, as it can help them orient themselves to their environment and understand their surroundings. For example, using high contrast colors for wayfinding signs can be helpful.
  • Contrast can improve safety: High contrast colors can be used to highlight hazards or important information, such as the edges of stairs or areas the person is to avoid. This can help improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents.

Contrast can be a valuable tool in the care of people living with dementia. By using high contrast colors in a way that supports the individual's needs and preferences, it's possible to create an environment that is safer, more visible, and easier to navigate and engage with.

Examples of visual contrast:

  • A placemat that contrasts with the table color
  • A brightly colored mat to frame an activity on a table
  • A contrasting color dish for materials (white glue in a blue bowl)
  • A bright color sign that contrasts with the wall
  • A contrasting color painted behind the toilet
  • High-contrast colors to highlight an obstacle (step)
  • High-contrast colors to highlight other important items (bright-colored tape around a light switch)
  • An important door (or door frame) painted a contrasting color (bathroom door, closet door)

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