A Place for Mom's Family

One thing I have seen more frequently in nursing homes and assisted living communities is a painted mural on the door made to look like the outdoors.  This is done to draw attention away from what looks like an 'exit'.  I don't know how easily this can be done in your home (unless you have a few aspiring artists hanging around!), but it is another idea.  Also, shades could be painted and pulled down at night, so that they also look like scenery instead of a way out.  I hope this helps!!

Jessica Welch, CSA

1-866-394-8026

jessicaw@aplaceformom.com

Great suggestion, Jessica!  The Alzheimer's Support Groups can also direct families to artists/companies that can provide this type of work.  It can make such a big difference for the exit seeking senior.

Directors at the Benrath Senior Centre in Duesseldorf, tired of relying on local authorities to round up roving patients, joined forces with a local care association and the public transportation department to erect a faux bus stop outside their facility.

The idea is that seniors who wander will recognize the familiar green and yellow bus stop and wait there to be taken home. Care givers retrieve the patients from the stop by telling them the bus will be along shortly, and then they invite them in for a cup of coffee, says Richard Neureither, Benrath's director.

This offbeat concept has proven so effective, several other nursing homes around Germany have set up their own bus stops to snare seniors, reports the Telegraph.co.uk.

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Now that's thinking creatively!  Though I wonder how many non-patients get pulled in to waiting as well?

I love this idea....I will be sharing this with some of the communities here in town....a bus stop idea is great!!

On Jessica's comment about Murals....I have seen these as well and typically work very well.  If someone is looking for local artsit to do this in their community or home, I have seen them listed on Craigs list.