A dementia unit is not neccessarily an Alzheimers unit, as Alzheimers disease carries with it specific behaviors and problems that a specialized unit is equipped to deal with. Dementia units may be home to some Alzheimers patients, however, in this article I will be discussing true Alzheimer units. These units are designed the way they are for a reason, and unless you are aware of the reasoning behind the various features, you may not notice. The floor should be simple, without complicated designs on the carpet. One common problem these patients also have is while walking from room to room, they may become confused if the flooring changes from carpeting to linoleum or vice versa, and they may be afraid of taking a step.
Shadows often present the same problem.
The lighting should be adequate but not blaring. The noise level should be fairly low, as loud noises and confusion may tend to agitate residents. In a well planned Alzheimers Unit, the bedrooms will all be color coordinated, with the door and door frames painted to match. This is thought to aid the residents in remembering their room. Look for extra steps that may have been taken to ensure the safety of the residents.