Evaluation of an Environmental Modification for Dementia Care Across Settings

This assignment evaluates an environmental modification for dementia care across settings. It includes an action plan to improve biodynamic lighting, decrease aggressive behavioral symptoms, and mitigate risks of slips and falls. The plan outlines key steps and activities, resources, and criteria for evaluation. The achieved outcomes include fewer rates of slips and falls, better circadian cycle, and lesser number of episodes of agitation, depression, agitation and aggressive behaviours.

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
School of Nursing
Assessment Details
SNPG955 Dementia Care Across Settings
Autumn Session 2018
Assessment Task Details
Assessment 1 Evaluation of an Environmental Modification
Format Written assignment
Due date 06/04/2018
Weighting 40%
Length 1,500 words + action plan
Details See below
Submission Submit your assignment as an electronic copy in the Moodle site.
Assignment 1: Action Planning Template
Brief Description of the aspect to be modified and the current impact on people with dementia
Auto tuning of the light to mimic the natural light where the light intensity would match
with the colour spectrum of the day. Improper lighting affects the sleep cycles, increases
night wandering, may increase aggressive behaviours, depression, agitation, odd motor
behaviour and appetite. Low light can also be related to low cognitive status (Bedrosian
and Nelson 2013,p.67-73).
Aims of Goals (maximum of 3 goals)
1. To improve the biodynamic lighting in order to improve the sleep cycle (Coogan et
al. 2013, p. 333-339)
Subject Outline: SNPG955Dementia Care Across Settings
© University of Wollongong 2018/1/31. All rights reserved.
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2. To manipulate the intensity of lighting according timing of the day , yet to provide
enough lighting for the caregivers to work .
3. To decrease the aggressive behavioural symptoms of dementia and mitigate the
risks of slips and falls.
Key steps and activities to be taken to achieve aim/goals (include timescales and others who can offer
support).
Key steps and activities Resources (including
personnel) Timeline
1. Placing the lighting fixtures
for maximising the
illumination.
Health care manager,
quality control manager,
engineer.
2 month
2. Using fluorescent and
halogen lighting in the
dining room, corridors and
bathroom with motion
sensors giving the time to
the eye to adjust (Ellis et al.
2014,p. 223-227)
Health care manager,
quality control manager,
engineer.
2 months
Subject Outline: SNPG955Dementia Care Across Settings
© University of Wollongong 2018/1/31. All rights reserved.
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3. Using LED lights around the
doors can reduce the risk of
falls. Automated LED lights
with timers and motion
sensors can be used that
can be adjusted or dimmed
as per the timings.
Health care manager,
quality control manager,
engineer.
1 month
4. Light colour lamp shades
should be used. Rockers or
push switches can be used
so for the convenience of
the patients (Ellis et al.
2014p. 223-229)
Health care manager,
quality control manager,
engineer.
1 month
Criteria for Evaluation (identify up to 5 aspects by which you can measure your success; one of which
should be around people with dementia)
1. Records can be kept regarding the occurrence of night wandering, sleep disorders,
slips and falls, and prevalence of episodes of violence. The results can be checked with
the previous records.
2. The cost effectively and the sustainability of the measures can be estimated by
Subject Outline: SNPG955Dementia Care Across Settings
© University of Wollongong 2018/1/31. All rights reserved.
3

checking the energy bills.
3. Survey can be conducted including the clinicians and the caregivers about the
beneficial effect of lighting in their work.
4. The mini-mental state examination would show better outcomes after the designing
proper lights.
5. One on one interview can be organised with the dementia for understanding their
feeling regarding the new ways of lighting (whether they liked it or not).
Summary Statement of what was Achieved
The interventions have shown to be linked with fewer rates of slips and falls, better
circadian cycle, lesser number of episodes of agitation, depression, agitation and
aggressive behaviours. It has also been found that the interventions have brought less
number of night wandering, day time napping. The improved lighting patters have also
turned out to beneficial for the caregivers for carrying out the activities.
Subject Outline: SNPG955Dementia Care Across Settings
© University of Wollongong 2018/1/31. All rights reserved.
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