Clear the floor
Look around your home and clear the floors – is there anything that could make you trip? Look out for trailing wires, obstacles like boxes and bags, and get rid of rugs.
Furniture rethink
Do your tables have sharp edges? Is your furniture stable, or wobbly? Is there anything you could bump into? If you have a lot of furniture, have a declutter to make moving about your home safer and easier, but try to keep the layout of the room the same. If a loved one helps you with this, make sure you have a say in how your home ends up looking – it needs to still feel like home to you.
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.
Look at lighting
Good lighting means less chance of falls and accidents and will help with any day/night confusion.
Use brighter bulbs in light fittings, if it’s possible and safe to do so. Increase the amount of light in rooms by adding lamps – touch lamps are useful, especially for bedside tables.
Improve the amount of natural light coming in by taking down any net curtains. Curtains are great because they absorb noise, which can be distracting, and they can also be drawn back during the daytime. But make sure your curtains do not trail on the floor and become a trip hazard. Open curtains during the day and close at night.
Get hedges and shrubbery cut back if they block light coming in. It’s a good idea to ask someone to install motion-sensor lighting outside, too, for when the evenings draw in.
Lighting is especially important on stairways and in the loo – think about adding extra lighting so it’s easier for you to find your way during the night.
Make sure your bedroom is nice and dark to help with sleep – add blackout material to curtains, if necessary.
Label up
Add labels to cupboards (and a picture, if it helps) so you know where to find your cups, plates, pans etc. You could do this to containers, too, so that food is easy to locate. Make sure kitchen items are not in cupboards that are too high up – put them in cupboards and drawers that are easily accessible to you. If needs be, move them to the work surface, so they’re easy to find.
Use tech
Put an alarm on your phone or tablet to remind you when to take medication and when appointments are. Don’t forget you can use these devices for video calls 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 and some people install devices that allow things like lighting and central heating to be installed remotely, so loved ones can lend a hand even when they’re not there.
Make sure you have smoke alarms, carbon monoxide and heat detectors fitted and if you already have them, make sure they work.
Look into getting a universal TV remote control that has fewer buttons, to make life easier.
Tech can make life easier, but never give out personal information (bank details etc) to people you don’t know – even if they are very convincing. End the call or message immediately and call someone you trust and tell them what happened. Read more about keeping your money safe here.
Outside spaces
If you have a garden or outside area, make sure there are no trip hazards in your way. Look out for pots, planters, compost piles, bins, furniture and anything else that could cause you to trip and fall. Are there paving slabs that you could trip up?
If you enjoy gardening, put in raised beds to make life easier. Ensure you have a shaded area to sit in.
Ask someone to ensure your 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 you don’t already have any.
Handy hints for everyday living
Change door locks so they can be opened from the outside in an emergency. Consider getting a keysafe box added outside your front door. Also think about putting a security chain and peephole on the front door and adding motion-sensor lights outside.
Add a flood-safe plug to your bath.
Buy a non-slip mat for the bath and make sure you use a bath mat to stand on when you get out of the bath or shower to avoid slipping.
Buy a toilet lid cover and loo mat in a bright contrasting colour to your bathroom décor so you can clearly see the loo in dim light.
Always keep items like keys, purse, glasses, bus passes etc in the same place. A lidded box or large bowl is handy.
Keep important documents in a safe place and make sure your loved ones know where they are. A basket or tray is good for this.
Keep cupboards and drawers tidy. Clear away clutter. Remove throws or any extra cushions.
Put a list of emergency numbers near the phone so you know where they are. If you have a landline phone, consider replacing it with one that has large numbers that are easy to see and simple to use.
Want more tips on living independently? Read tips from other in our dementia discussion forum here