Home Modification Resources

Booklet: Environmental Coping Srategies for Alzheimer's Caregivers

PART III. UTILIZING BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES

To increase their effectiveness, any environmental modifications should incorporate the following principles:

  1. Include the person in decision making in managing his/her problem whenever possible.
  2. Do not try to solve everything at once. Single out the most frustrating problem to change, one that will make life easier. Sometimes the smallest change can be the most effective.
  3. Be adaptive and flexible. It is easier to deal with a problem through the use of common sense and imagination. If one thing doesn't work, try another.
  4. Adopt a calm and gentle attitude. Maintaining a sense of humor may be one of the most effective tools in dealing with a frustrating situation.
  5. Accept the person's condition and work with him/her within the limits of his/her ability. While some skills may be gone, simplifying certain aspects of a particular task may enable the person to maintain functioning.

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A project of the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification,
in affiliation with the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, funded by the Archstone Foundation.
Located at the University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center, Los Angeles, California 90089-0191 (213) 740-1364.