PAMA virtual exhibit
close

Translate this page

 

Disclaimer and limitations

Translation on this website is carried out by Bing Microsoft Translator, a third-party provider. Please note that accuracy, page structure and accessibility may vary across languages. The Region of Peel is not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate translations and will not be held responsible for any damage or issues that may result from using Bing Microsoft Translator.

Featured exhibits

Inspiring stories of Women in the PAMA collections

Take a look at PAMA's collection of stories which may have faded from the public's memory.

Life is beautiful

Memoirs of people living with dementia.

Peel Time Capsule

Stories and images that reflect the social, cultural, or economic impacts of COVID-19 across Peel.

Botanica Colossi

A collection of photographs from Sara Angelucci’s recent Nocturnal Botanical Ontario series, which were created between the spring and fall of 2020.

Power Play: Hockey in Contemporary Art

Take a 360-degree tour of an exhibition.

Stories of Service and Sacrifice

Those who served, and their friends and families at home.

Art Voice: Expressions from youth in Peel

Explore diverse, extraordinary works created by youth artists expressing their voices through their art.

Simon Hughes 360° virtual tour

An exhibition that focuses on the artistic preoccupations of Winnipeg-based Simon Hughes through a twenty-year career in the arts.

Home: Expressions in Abstraction

Grade 11 students from Mayfield Secondary School's Regional Arts Program interpret the theme of home in an abstract painting.

Morphology

Witness the transformation of Mississauga's lakeview waterfront.

Our Voices, Our Journeys: Black Communities in Peel

A celebration of one of many black communities in Peel.

main
PAMA virtual exhibit
  • Home
  • Featured exhibits
  • Power Play virtual tour
  • Life is beautiful
    • 100% every day
    • Beautiful friendships
    • Love is part of the job
    • Love doesn’t end
    • Beautiful face
    • Meeting people where they are
    • Connecting shared interests
    • Finding your way
    • When is a sofa not a sofa
    • Bringing the outdoors in
    • Dangerous reflections
    • Recreating meaningful experiences
    • Creating the feeling of home
    • Getting to know you
    • Recreating little moments
  • Botanica Colossi
    • About Sara Angelucci
    • Exhibit images
  • Inspiring stories
    • Sarah Gill
    • Dr. Emily Irvine
    • Marion Long
    • Tanya Mullings
    • Lillian Gordon
    • Annie May Johnston
    • Lucy Maud Montgomery
    • Matsubara Naoko
    • Mary Evelyn Wrinch
    • Ruth Houck
    • Daphne Lingwood
    • Sarama Mukherjee
    • Mitsuko Shirley Teramoto
    • Zoe MacKinnon
  • Our Voices, Our Journeys
    • North Peel Community Church
    • A New Generation
    • Dr. Ron and Claudette Kelly
    • The Church
    • Kevin Junor
    • Kevin's Journey
    • Nicole Jones
    • Bishop Evon and Sonia Nunes
    • Church Hats
    • "Stuff" Matters
  • Our Boys
    • Lieutenant Wallace Lloyd Algie
    • Major Jeffrey Harper Bull
    • Lieutenant Floyd Everard Graydon
    • Nursing Sister Ida Harcourt
    • Ivan Melhuish
    • Dr. William “Bucky” Stubbs
    • Women’s Institute
  • Art Voice
    • Poems and videos
    • Images
  • Simon Hughes virtual tour
  • Expressions
    • Exhibit images
  • Morphology
    • Exhibit images
    • Artist biographies
  • Explore PAMA

Dangerous reflections

Reflective surfaces can be upsetting for people with dementia and can cause them to be fearful, anxious, or angry. Due to changes in the eye caused by dementia and aging, some people may misinterpret what they are seeing. Mirrors and windows can be challenging, but also shiny tables, countertops or other surfaces can be difficult.

The Butterfly Model limits these reflective surfaces or replaces them with graphics and finishes that help reduce residents’ confusion and stress.

Thomas would walk every evening, as he did in his life before dementia. Outside of his room was a large glass door which would be reflective of the interior space after dark. When Thomas reached the end of the hallway and saw his own reflection, he thought he was seeing his brother through the glass instead of himself. In his dementia Thomas often believed he was back in his childhood living with his brother Robert with whom he was very attached. Thomas would call to the reflection in the window and ask Robert to come in and spend time with him. When Robert didn’t come in, Thomas became sad and that sadness eventually turned to anger and frustration. In an attempt to prevent this disturbing experience, his family put an opaque film on the window that eliminated the reflection. Thomas’ distress ended instantly.

Being aware of these challenges and making small changes can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Back to exhibit overview

Reflecting windows

Glare off glass walls

Shiny surfaces

Back to exhibit overview

© Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives