Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home: Tips for Safety, Comfort, and Independence
Practical Advice and Modern Solutions from Right at Home Telford for Those Living with Dementia
Published: 21/06/2024
For an individual living with dementia, staying in their own home can significantly boost their sense of security and independence. However, as the disease progresses, it can become increasingly challenging to plan and undertake daily tasks. At Right at Home Telford, we understand the importance of a safe and comfortable environment for those we care for.
Individuals living with dementia sometimes face difficulties with memory, comprehension, orientation, and perception. Creating a dementia-friendly home involves adapting the environment to address these challenges. The goal is to minimise confusion, reduce hazards, and promote a sense of well-being. Here are some practical tips to help create a dementia-friendly home.
Practical Tips for a Dementia-Friendly Home
1. Simplify the Layout
- Declutter: Keep the home tidy and free from unnecessary items. A clutter-free environment reduces confusion and prevents accidents.
- Clear Pathways: Ensure that pathways are wide and unobstructed to prevent trips and falls. This is particularly important for hallways and high-traffic areas.
2. Enhance Lighting
- Natural Light: Maximise natural light by keeping windows clean and using lace curtains for privacy. Natural light helps regulate sleep patterns and can improve mood.
- Adequate Lighting: Install bright, even lighting throughout the home. Use nightlights in hallways and bathrooms to aid visibility at night.
3. Use Contrasting Colours
- Colour Coding: Use contrasting colours for walls, floors, and furniture to make objects stand out. For example, a dark-coloured toilet seat on a light-coloured toilet can improve visibility.
- Labelling: Clearly label important areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom with both words and pictures.
4. Install Safety Features
- Grab Bars and Handrails: Install grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on stairways to provide support and prevent falls.
- Non-Slip Flooring: Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen to reduce the risk of slipping.
5. Create Familiar and Comforting Spaces
- Personal Items: Surround your loved one with familiar objects, photographs, and keepsakes to provide comfort and stimulate memories.
- Comfortable Furniture: Choose furniture that is comfortable and supportive. Avoid furniture with sharp edges.
6. Encourage Independence
- Accessible Storage: Place everyday items within easy reach to encourage independence. Use transparent containers to make it easier to see what's inside.
- Assistive Devices: Consider using assistive devices such as medication dispensers, reminder clocks, and door alarms.
7. Consistent and Personalised Care
- Familiar Faces: When receiving help and support from CareGivers, it's crucial to have a familiar face rather than numerous staff members. This consistency helps build trust and reduces confusion for those living with dementia. At Right at Home Telford, we strongly apply this model, ensuring that clients see the same CareGivers regularly.
- Caregiver Matching: We also prioritise matching CareGivers with clients based on interests and personality. This personalised approach fosters meaningful connections and enhances the quality of care and companionship.
Incorporating Modern Technology
Modern technology can play a crucial role in helping someone live well with dementia at home. Smart devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod offer a variety of functionalities that can aid daily living.
By speaking aloud to a smart device, your loved one can ask for the time or get reminders of planned activities. They can play music, control the television, radio, heating, and lighting, and even call friends and family.
To enable some of these functions, extra equipment like smart lightbulbs, which communicate with the smart device, may be necessary. It's also essential to have wireless internet (Wi-Fi) in the home.
While modern technology can greatly aid those living with dementia, it's important to be aware of potential challenges. Ensure devices are simple and user-friendly to prevent frustration. Protect privacy and security by setting strong passwords and being cautious with personal information. Have a backup plan in case of device failure and regularly maintain the technology. Lastly, it is very important to use technology to supplement, not replace, companionship, personal care and regular health monitoring.
Making Larger Home Adaptations
In some cases, more significant changes may be necessary to make the home safe and accessible. These could include:
- Ramps: Installing ramps for wheelchair access.
- Walk-in Showers: Replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower for easier and safer bathing.
- Widening Doorways: Making doorways wider to accommodate mobility aids.
Adapting a home can be costly, but there are resources available to help. Local councils and government programs often provide financial assistance or grants for home modifications. For further advice on adaptations, you can also refer to the NHS advice on home adaptations.
Final Thoughts
Creating a dementia-friendly home is an ongoing process that evolves with your loved one’s needs. By making thoughtful adjustments, you can help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in ensuring safety, comfort, and a sense of security for someone living with dementia.
If you need assistance in creating a dementia-friendly home or require support and care services, please visit our Dementia Care Services page. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by dementia.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
