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How to Make Your Home Dementia Friendly

Use Technology
Smart devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home AND Apple Home Pod can all help you live better with dementia at home. Using Skype, Zoom and other forms of remote contact can be very helpful, especially if family are not near.

Good Lighting
Good lighting helps you to see more clearly and make sense of where you are. Dementia can make it harder to keep track of time and having your windows clear allows natural light in, informing you whether is is day or night. Better internal lighting reduces shadows and dark areas that can be confusing. Night time light sensors will help you safely move around if you need to get up.

Bathroom Safety
Remove items that aren’t frequently used as a crowded bathroom can be distracting. If you need assistive toilet, bath or showering equipment such as toilet frames, raisers, grabrails, tap turners get them in contrasting colours designed specifically for dementia. It makes them a lot easier to use than white ones that blend in with the surroundings.

Furniture and Furnishings
Dementia can make you disorientated and confused about what you are seeing. Use colour and pattern to help you identify and see things more clearly. Avoid stripes and strong patters as they can be disorientating. As dementia progresses reduce and avoid clutter, whilst keeping the original format of rooms the same. It may be necessary to remove mirrors and paintings as they can be confusing.

Knowing Where Things Are
Memory problems will mean that you forget where things are stored. If you put pictures and labels outside cupboards and wardrobes it will help greatly. Reorganise cupboards so the items most frequently used are to the front and easier to find. Consider removing cupboard doors that may hide white goods like washing machines etc.

Keeping Safe
Remaining safe and confident in you own home is important. Fit out your home with the necessary safety equipment like, grab rails, alarms, sensors, smoke alarms. Help is readily available from OT’s, fire and safety services as well as our customer care team. We’re all here to help. There’s also plenty of HSE and dementia support advice available.

Remain Active
It’s important to remain active and engaged so that you can live more easily with dementia. Try to continue with favourite hobbies and maintain in contact with family and friends. There are plenty of items like reminiscence/nostalgia items, toy pets and dolls, arts and crafts  boxes and these all help keep the mind engaged. There are also specialised clocks, calendars and watches to help keep on top of events and appointments with reminders.

Get Outdoors
It’s also important to keep fit and active and outdoor activities can be really helpful when possible. Gardening, exercise and enjoying outdoors should be encouraged. If you’ve lost confidence or may feel you can’t find your way home do these pursuits with a family member, friend or carer.

The Dementia Care section of our website covers all these items and we hope you found this blog helpful.

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