Crossing Thresholds

[Grannie G]

Dhiren is finding it increasingly difficult to cross the threshold from one type of flooring to another.

My hall, bathroom toilet and kitchen have the same tiles throughout, and he has no problem going from one of these rooms into another.

But the two bedrooms and living romm have carpets and particularly when he`s tired, he seems afraid to cross the Threshold. Even if I stand with my feet on the metal strip separating the rooms, he is very hesitant and seems like he is dipping his toes in the water before he crosses.

Has anyone experienced this and if so what was done to help alleviate it.

Thank you.

 

[Winnie Kjaer]

No advise as such but I wondered whether the metal strip looks like something else to him, something he could stumble over or similar. You can get heavy duty plastic strips in the colour of most carpets, would that be worth considering looking into, he may then not notice them. Just a thought.

 

[nellbelles]

Sylvia

Don't know if this will help but it may give you food for thought.

Our newly built local blind institute has some, to me; very odd colour schemes which are obviously good for partially sighted people,,

But one thing stands out, and that is a narrow path of one colour running from one end of the building to the other, with junctions to various rooms.

Would it be possible to find some thin floor covering that would act as a bridge? perhaps you could try any distinctive coloured cloths, rugs etc to see if it would help Dhiren.

I'm not sure I'm explaining my self very well though,

I will think more.

 

[lesmisralbles]

Hello Silvia

Ref my previous post on A Life In The day of

As Ron cannot see very well, I do think it is to do with the feel of the floor surface.

Barb X

 

[nellbelles]

http://www.coa.gov.in/mag/Archi_Apr09-Lowres-pdf/44-48-Design for Dementia.pdf.

Hell..I have no idea how to make the link, but this will make interesting reading for you.

Oh it has come up by it's self.

 

[Grannie G]

Thank you.

Nellbelles/Helen I know what you mean but if I did anything like that I would have to make sure it was non slip and non movable.

Winnie, I don`t think it is the metal strip I think it is going from green to white and from terracotta to white. Now I think of it it doesn`t happen the other way, going from tiles to carpet, only from carpet to tiles.

Barb, Dhiren doesn`t feel the difference, he sees the difference.

 

[Helen33]

Or rather from colour to white. It could be like stepping into outer space or water Sylvia White could be like nothingness.

 

[Winnie Kjaer]

Thank you Helen that makes really interesting reading

 

[Grannie G]

White could be like nothingness.

Yes it could Helen. Houston we have a problem. I`m not going to be able to solve this one easily.

 

[Helen33]

Actually you might be able to Sylvia with all the modern totally non slip products available these days. Well, Occupational Therapist did ask whether there was anything else you required

Love

 

[Grannie G]

Well, Occupational Therapist did ask whether there was anything else you required

Well thought of Helen.
I`m so used to having to solve my own problems it didn`t occur to me to ask the OT.
TP is the exception.

 

[Sandy]

Hi Sylvia,

Flooring is mentioned in both of these:

http://www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/Support_materials/Other_reports_and_guidance/The_design_of_housing_for_people_with_dementia.pdf

Because a sharp contrast in flooring can be perceived as a step by people with dementia, similar floor tones have been used.

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/docopen.cfm?orgid=501&id=105312&uuid=C3557E11-1143-E756-5C5C625CAC3BFBCB

• Provide gradual transitions when changing flooring material (e. g., a transition from a hard surface to carpeting) to minimize falls, and provide a handrail or other support in these areas.

• Avoid using very dark-coloured flooring or dark colour patches. The person may interpret these areas as a hole and either attempt to step over (risking a fall) or refuse to traverse (freezing in place).

So it sounds like it's the colour transition that's the problem.

I remember other people posting in the past about putting a dark-coloured mat by the front door to deter wandering as some people with dementia perceived it as a hole.

The only suggested remedy in one of those documents is to install (short of changing the flooring to be roughly the same colour throughout) hand rails at the points of transition to give some added reassurance.

Take care,

 

[Grannie G]

Thanks Sandy
I could get the hall carpeted but don`t fancy carpet in the bathroom and toilet.

 

[Helen33]

don`t fancy carpet in the bathroom and toilet.

I had to laugh out loud at that Sylvia Some people will do anything to cling to their mops and buckets

I'm sure there will be non slip waterproof runners - the kind that will withstand lashings of bleach

 

[living in hope]

Hi Sylvia,
Brian is very wary when crossing threasholds in the home, it doesn't seem to matter about the colour or if its tiles or carpet, he perceives it as a step and sometimes lifts his leg really high to get over it and other times is very reluctant to step over it and has to be encouraged.
Lorraine

 

[Bookworm]

I heard ages ago that people with dementia see shapes rising out of floor covering that we can't see - e.g. that kind of highly patterned carpet you get in a (posh) hotel - the flowers etc stand out in 3D & they tend to want to pick at them as if there is something actually on the floor - is it something like that? I guess he is looking down ++ or it would not be an issue - would making him more secure with more hand rails enable him to look up more?

 

[Brymar]

Dhiren is finding it increasingly difficult to cross the threshold from one type of flooring to another.

Hi Grannie G.

This can happen with some types of AD. Does Dhiren lift one leg as he passes over the change in flooring or indeed does he lower one leg.

This can happen when visual perception has been affected or a lack of spacial awareness. The patient can see a change from light to dark flooring as a "step down" and vice versa which can sometimes cause falls. It can be a feature of Posteria Cortical Atrophy and Dimentia with Lewy Bodies.

I met my Mary when she literally fell at my feet going from one room to another. It is not always present. Mary,s former GP diagnosed these falls as "attention seeking" telling her family toignore it and walk away.

It was seeing her daughter do exactly that as we entered a shopping centre that made me detemined to find out all I could.

It is only recently that doctors have finally taken it seriously
and made a proper diagnosis.

You have come to the right place on this forum and the internet is the best place for information.

Hope this helps

Regards
Bryan

 

[gigi]

Hello Sylvia!

Alternatively, you may find that once Dhiren has his zimmer frame to walk with..(assuming he accepts it, of course)..that the problem will resolve itself.
He'll be holding his head in a different position and may not be looking down so much. He may also feel safer holding onto it.

xx

 

[Grannie G]

Does Dhiren lift one leg as he passes over the change in flooring or indeed does he lower one leg.

He seems to slide his leg as if he`s feeling for a step. He lifts his leg but draws it back in fear.
Thank you Bryan.

Gigi he is always looking down and I do hope the zimmer frame gives him more security. Even holding my hand and watching what I do doesn`t seem to help.

 

[foxhound]

This ain't going to do your tiles any good (!), but what about painting them in a dark non-slip paint - cheap, removes the colour transition and perhaps any fear of slipping on the smooth surface.

To make it look nicer, you could put the paint on in a distressed pattern (marbling or woood-graining perhap).

You would need to make sure the paint was suitable. I know we are not supposed to plug firms, but Ray Munn in London SW6 have a very good reputation for specialist paints.