The most important thing is that the person you’re caring for is safe and secure at home. So, we’ve provided a handy list of ideas to try so they can continue to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible.
1. Rethink furniture
Are there any tables with sharp edges? Is the furniture stable, or are there any items that are wobbly and could cause accidents? Is there anything that is creating an obstacle or could be a trip hazard? Think about getting an armchair with armrests – they make it easier to sit down and get up. Avoid bench seats and chairs with no backs or that are very low.
Keep cupboards and drawers tidy by clearing away clutter. Remove throws from sofas and chairs and don’t have any extra cushions – they can fall on the floor and create obstacles or be confusing to someone with dementia.
If there’s a lot of furniture in the home it’s a good idea to declutter to make moving about safer and easier, but try to keep the layout of the room the same. And make sure the person you’re caring for has their say about how their home ends up looking so it remains familiar and still feels like their home.
2. Pay attention to the floor
Look around and clear floors of things that could cause problems – is there anything that could lead to a trip or stumble? Look out for trailing wires, obstacles like boxes and bags, and get rid of rugs.
Some people with dementia find shiny or reflective flooring distracting. If you have plans to replace flooring, choose a matte floor covering in a colour that contrasts with the walls – carpet with a flat pile is best as it not only absorbs noise, but is easier to walk on.
Avoid anything with a strong pattern, which can create difficulties for people living with dementia.
3. Look at the lighting
Lighting is especially important when a person is living with dementia. Good lighting means less chance of falls and accidents and will help with sundowning and day/night confusion. Here are some lighting tips:
Make sure brighter bulbs are used in light fittings, if possible (and safe). Increase the amount of light by adding lamps – touch lamps are useful, especially for bedside tables.
Improve the amount of natural light coming in during the day by taking down net curtains and removing additional blinds or any extra window coverings. Curtains are great because they absorb noise, which can be distracting, and they can also be drawn back during the daytime. But check they don’t trail on the floor and become a trip hazard. Keep curtains open during the day and closed at night. And make sure the bedroom is nice and dark at night to help with sleep – add blackout material to curtains, if necessary.
Cut back hedges or shrubbery that block light.
Install motion-sensor lighting outside.
Lighting is especially important on stairways and in the loo – think about adding extra lighting so it’s easier for the person you’re caring for to find the bathroom during the night. You can buy plug-in night lights for landings – or keep the light on in the toilet or bathroom at night.
4. Think about walls
Decorate the walls with pictures and photographs of loved ones and happy memories from the past – they make great memory joggers.
Add a large clock with an LCD display that shows the date and time so there’s no confusion about what day it is and the person you’re caring for can easily keep track of the time.
Colour choice is important, too. Change the wall colour so it contrasts with the flooring – people who are living with dementia can have trouble with perception and find it tricky to tell the difference between walls and floor if they are a similar colour. Avoid highly patterned wallpaper.
Take mirrors down. Reflective surfaces can be troubling for people with dementia. Some people living with dementia find that after a while they don’t recognise themselves in a mirror, leading to fears that they have a stranger in their home. For the same reason it’s best to keep curtains closed at night so reflections are not seen in the window.
5. Consider colour
As well as rethinking the colour of walls and flooring, consider the use of colour in the rest of the home. Avoid patterns and stripes, as they can confuse. Choose contrasting colours in other areas of the home, such as:
Furniture and furnishings – look at bold, bright colours that contrast with the walls and flooring so they stand out
Doors, doorways, grab handles and bannisters – paint these in strong colours so that a person with dementia can register where they are
Toilet seat – make sure it stands out from the actual toilet by buying a contrasting colour
Buy crockery and tableware in a colour that contrasts with that of the table or kitchen work surfaces
6. Label up
Add labels and pictures to cupboards so that finding cups, plates, pans and other utensils is easier. Label up food containers, too.
Make sure kitchen items that are in everyday use are not in out-of-reach places – put them in cupboards and drawers that are easily accessible. If needs be, move them to the work surface or counter top, so they’re visible and easy to find.
7. Use tech
If the person you’re caring for has a mobile phone or other electronic device such as a tablet, set alarms to remind them of when to take medication and as memory joggers for when appointments are. Don’t forget these devices can be used for video calls to connect with friends and family, too.
Voice-activated tech, such as an Alexa, can be set to remind you to turn off lights or get ready for bed. Technology can help you check who’s at the door, if you have a video camera doorbell. Some people install devices that allow things like lighting and central heating to be installed remotely.
Look into getting a universal TV remote control that has fewer buttons, to make life easier. Write up a big sign, using pictures, of how to work the remote and tape it to the back.
8. Improve outside spaces
In gardens and outside spaces, make sure there are no trip hazards. Look out for pots, planters, compost piles, bins, furniture and anything else that could cause a trip or fall. Also check walking surfaces – are they even, or are there paving slabs that you could cause a problem?
If the person you’re caring for enjoys gardening consider adapting the garden so they can continue to get the most from it. Add raised beds to make life easier and think about planting flowers that attract wildlife. Adding insect and bird boxes to walls/fences and growing scented herbs are nice touches. Ensure there’s a shaded area to sit in in the hotter summer months.
Check the garden is properly enclosed and safe – look for fence panels that might need replacing and ensure all gates and entry points are secure. Add lighting near doors and porches, if there isn’t any.
9. Be security aware
Consider changing door locks so they can be opened from the outside in an emergency. Some people find that a keysafe box added outside the front door is useful.
For peace of mind you could also add a security chain and peephole on the front door plus motion-sensor lights outside or a video doorbell that links to your mobile phone so you can keep an eye on comings and goings.
Handy hints for everyday living
Add a flood-safe plug to the bath and buy a non-slip mat for the bath/shower, plus a bath mat to stand to avoid slipping when getting out of the bath or shower.
Use a large bowl for commonly used items like keys, purse/wallet, glasses, bus passes etc and keep it in a prominent place, such as on a coffee table.
Place important documents in a safe place. A basket or tray is good for this.
Put a list of emergency numbers near the phone. If the person you’re caring for still has a landline phone, consider replacing it with one that has large numbers that are easy to see and simple to use.
Make sure smoke alarms, heat detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted and that they are in working order.
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Book an assessment
If you feel the person you’re caring for would benefit from certain safety measures being added to their home (e.g. grab rails) book a home assessment with your local authority to see what help they can offer.