For people with dementia, remaining at home can be the most comforting option. There are many memories nestled in a person’s home and being around these for as long as possible is a positive part of care. When someone is living with dementia, it can be difficult for them to navigate a home that isn’t catered to the condition. There are ways to remedy this by taking precautions to make a home dementia friendly. Follow on for some tips on altering a home for dementia that will ensure the safety of the resident:
For a person with dementia, change can be distressing. If you’ve decided that a loved one’s home needs some alterations in order to make it safe for them and their dementia diagnosis, make sure it’s a gradual process. This allows them to get used to the change, rather than having their home transformed in an overwhelming manner.
As someone’s dementia progresses, it could be a good idea to receive a professional assessment. This will enable you to see if there is any medication they could take to slow the progression of the condition. They can also recommend any home alterations that would be beneficial, such as grab rails in the bathroom or a chair lift. This will reduce the risk of falls.
Lighting that is too dark or obscures the vision of the room can be dangerous, especially if someone’s eyesight has been affected along with their dementia. Lighting should be bright and natural. Remove unnecessary curtains or netting and reduce as much glare as possible. Lighting is very important on stairs and in bathrooms, ensuring pathways are lit effectively.
One change that can be really beneficial for people with dementia is automatic amenities. For everyday fixtures such as light switches, which can become confusing, automatic sensors can make life easier. These turn a light on when they sense somebody walking past, saving you from searching for a light switch.
Furnishings like mats or rugs on the floor can sometimes confuse those with dementia, as they could think that they are obstacles which need to be stepped over. Flooring that is overly shiny, on the other hand, could be mistaken for being wet, causing unnecessary stress. The safest flooring is a matte floor with nothing that could cause a trip or a fall.
As dementia progresses, there can be the risk that someone may not recognise their own reflection. This will likely make the person distressed and could also cause fear. To reduce the risk of this, removing mirrors could be useful. Removing all of them may not be necessary, so assess the person’s individual case and requirements.
When dementia symptoms become more severe, navigating your home or kitchen can be difficult. That’s why creating labels for cupboards and drawers is a good idea. You can even take photos of what is inside each cupboard and stick it on the outside so that it is clearly signalled. See through cupboards are also helpful.
Now that we know more about dementia and its symptoms, there have been products designed to aid people that live with the condition. This includes phones with large buttons and clocks with LCD displays to show the date and time very clearly. There are even devices that give audio prompts, reminding people to take medication, for example.
As dementia becomes worse it can affect eyesight. To combat this, it can be beneficial to take note of the furniture within the home. Make sure each piece of furniture is noticeable, preventing any falls. It’s also a good idea for the furniture to have rounded edges so that the risk of injury is reduced if it is bumped into.
Part of living a healthy life is ensuring that you get a good amount of exercise and fresh air. This can be difficult with dementia, but encouragement can motivate you to make steps towards this. It may be an idea to get someone to accompany you on walks. To make this easier, you could think about installing a safety rail outside the home.
Along with making your home dementia friendly, you may want to consider home care from Verilife. Our experienced care workers know exactly how to tailor their approach to individuals with dementia, prioritising your best interests whilst you live at home. There are so many benefits to home care, but one of them is that you can be sure your care plan is completely personal to you. Contact us at hello@verilife.co.uk or call 02031419290 to benefit from our supportive, high standard of care.
