Visual Aids for Dementia: Powerful Tools For Memory, Communication, & Safety

Visual aids for dementia are photos, written cues, signs, and labels that support communication, memory, and safety.

This article explores how to use these simple yet powerful tools to enhance the lives of people with dementia. 

Benefits Of Visual Aids For Dementia

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, language, and cognition. This makes daily safety and communication much more challenging. Thankfully, tools such as visual aids can help patients stay safer, more comfortable, and even communicate more effectively!

Visual aids are diagnosis- and patient-specific photos, written cues, signs, labels, and other visuals designed to address the challenges faced by people with dementia.

They use concrete cues to support prospective memory (Jones et al., 2021) while taking advantage of patients’ remaining strengths, which typically include reading and procedural memory.

Additional benefits of using visual aids for dementia:

• Support communication: Visual aids such as written words and pictures can bridge communication breakdowns and reduce frustration (Jones et al., 2021).
  
• Support comprehension: Visual aids support understanding in conversation and enhance language (Chang & Bourgeois, 2020).
  
• Reduced anxiety and agitation: Research shows that visual supports can decrease anxiety-related behaviors in patients with dementia (Livingston et al., 2017).
  
• Improved decision-making: Visual aids enhance decision-making related to personal care (Chang & Bourgeois, 2020).
  
• Increased independence: Visual aids help patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment improve recall, safety, daily routines, and ADLs (Tuena et al., 2024).

Types Of Visual Aids For Patients With Dementia

1. Memory and Orientation Aids

• Memory books: Include familiar photographs, events, and personal information to help patients recall people, places, and past events (Bourgeois, 2007). For a how-do guide, read How Do You Make A Memory Book For Dementia?
  
• Orientation aids: Use bright, large items such as wall calendars, whiteboards with daily schedules, or digital memory clocks (e.g. Dementia Clock) to support orientation.
  
• Visual reminders: Photos or written cues can remind patients when to take medications or attend appointments, as well as help them locate personal items.

2. Communication Strategies and Supports

• Simple communication boards: Simple and functional words and pictures can bridge communication gaps and breakdowns. Read 5 Low-Tech AAC Boards For Adults for more ideas.
  
• Familiar items: Photographs, cards, and newspaper clippings can stimulate conversation and memory (Cuevas et al., 2020).

3. Sequencing and Safety Supports

• Step-by-step picture guides. Visual instructions for tasks such as handwashing, brushing teeth, or getting dressed can aid with activities of daily living (ADLs) and help them sequence other daily tasks.
  
• Safety reminders. Brightly colored signs on a walker, tape on brake handles, signs such as “Use call button” or “Wait for help,” and posting safe swallowing tips can improve daily safety by aiming to prevent falls and injuries (Benigasa & Bourgeois, 2016).
  
• Color-coded reminders. Promote safety by posting “Stop” or “Do Not Enter” signs on doors or exits.

4. Environmental Modifications

• Label the environment. Use bright visual aids with large print or place photos on doors, cabinets, and drawers to decrease confusion (Brush, 2018).
  
• Navigation signs. Large, clear signs with images and text can help patients navigate the home or facility.

For more ideas, read 11 External Memory Aids for Dementia and TBI.

How To Use Visual Aids For Dementia

First, assess the needs of each patient, as not every visual aid will work for everyone. Complete an initial speech evaluation and then personalize visual supports to align with the individual’s specific medical and cognitive needs.

Tips for creating and using visual aids:

• Keep signs accessible and at eye level
• Use large fonts and capitalize the first word only (don’t use all caps)
• Keep sentences short and simple
• Use high-contrast colors (e.g., black ink on white paper or white ink on red paper)
• Choose bright backgrounds to draw attention
• Maintain color consistency (e.g., all bathroom signs are the same color)
• Personalize whenever possible
• Train both patients and staff on how to use them!

After introducing visual aids, train families and healthcare staff on how to use them consistently and effectively. Check in regularly to assess whether the aids are meeting the patient’s needs, and adjust as needed.

By incorporating these simple yet powerful tools, speech therapy can significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with dementia and their caregivers!

Seeking ready-to-use materials for patients with dementia? Visit our shop for assessment templates, patient activities, and other educational resources!

References

• Benigas, J. E., & Bourgeois, M. (2016). Using Spaced Retrieval With External Aids to Improve Use of Compensatory Strategies During Eating for Persons With Dementia. American journal of speech-language pathology, 25(3), 321–334. https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0176
• Bourgeois, M. S. (2007). Memory books and other graphic cuing systems: Practical communication and memory aids for adults with dementia. Baltimore, MD: Health Professions Press.
• Brewer, C., Aparo, M. (2021) The Adult Speech Therapy Starter Pack. Harmony Road Design Publishing.
• Brush, J. (2018). Tips for Creating Signs – Dementia Care Training & Education | Redesigning Dementia Care. Brush Development. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from https://brushdevelopment.com/tips-creating-signs/
• Brush, J., Fleder, H., & Calkins, M. (2012). Using the Environment to Support Communication and Foster Independence in People with Dementia: A review of case studies in long term care settings. Kirtland, Ohio: I.D.E.A.S., Inc.
• Chang, W. D., & Bourgeois, M. S. (2020). Effects of Visual Aids for End-of-Life Care on Decisional Capacity of People With Dementia. American journal of speech-language pathology, 29(1), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-0028
• Clarkson, P., Hughes, J., Roe, B., Giebel, C. M., Jolley, D., Poland, F., Abendstern, M., Chester, H., Challis, D., & Members of the HoSt-D (Home Support in Dementia) Programme Management Group (2018). Systematic review: Effective home support in dementia care, components and impacts – Stage 2, effectiveness of home support interventions. Journal of advanced nursing, 74(3), 507–527. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13460
• Cuevas, P.G.,Davidson, P.M.,Mejilla, J.L.,& Rodney, T.W. (2020). Reminiscence therapy for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease: A literature review. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing – Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/inm.12692
• Jones, W. E., Benge, J. F., & Scullin, M. K. (2021). Preserving prospective memory in daily life: A systematic review and meta-analysis of mnemonic strategy, cognitive training, external memory aid, and combination interventions. Neuropsychology, 35(1), 123–140. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000704
• Livingston, G., Sommerlad, A., Orgeta, V., Costafreda, S. G., Huntley, J., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Cooper, C., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Larson, E. B., Ritchie, K., Rockwood, K., Sampson, E. L., Samus, Q., … Mukadam, N. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care. Lancet (London, England), 390(10113), 2673–2734. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31363-6
• Tuena, C., Serino, S., Goulene, K. M., Pedroli, E., Stramba-Badiale, M., & Riva, G. (2024). Bodily and Visual-Cognitive Navigation Aids to Enhance Spatial Recall in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 99(3), 899–910. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-240122