Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home Environment

Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home Environment: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

Understanding the Impact of Dementia on the Home Environment

• Memory Loss: Forgetting where things are kept, how to use appliances, or even where rooms are located.
• Perceptual Difficulties: Misinterpreting reflections, shadows, patterns, or colours, leading to confusion or fear.
• Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty with problem-solving, planning, and sequencing tasks, making complex environments overwhelming.
• Changes in Spatial Awareness: Challenges with depth perception and navigating familiar spaces.
• Agitation and Anxiety: Feeling overwhelmed or threatened by cluttered or confusing surroundings.
• Increased Risk of Falls: Due to mobility issues, poor vision, or disorientation.

Key Principles of a Dementia-Friendly Home

• Safety First: Identifying and mitigating potential hazards.
• Clear and Uncluttered Spaces: Reducing visual noise and making navigation easier.
• Good Lighting: Enhancing visibility and reducing shadows.
• Familiarity and Consistency: Maintaining routines and recognisable objects.
• Clear Signposting: Using visual cues to aid orientation.
• Contrasting Colours: Helping to differentiate objects and surfaces.
• Accessibility: Ensuring ease of movement and use of facilities.
• Comfort and Calm: Creating a peaceful and reassuring atmosphere.

Practical Adaptations for Each Area of the Home

General Home Safety and Layout

• Remove Trip Hazards: Secure loose rugs, clear clutter from walkways, and ensure electrical cords are tucked away.
• Good Lighting: Increase overall light levels, especially in hallways, stairs, and bathrooms. Use natural light where possible. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights which can cause glare. Consider motion-sensor lights in key areas.
• Clear Pathways: Keep furniture arranged to allow for easy movement, especially if mobility aids are used.
• Consistent Flooring: Try to maintain consistent flooring types and colours to avoid confusion about changes in level. Avoid highly patterned carpets which can be disorienting.
• Secure Windows and Doors: Install locks that are easy for carers to operate but might prevent a person with dementia from wandering outside unsupervised. Consider alarms on exit doors if wandering is a concern.
• Temperature Control: Ensure the home is kept at a comfortable temperature, as individuals with dementia may have difficulty regulating their body temperature or expressing discomfort.

The Living Room

• Familiar Objects: Surround your loved one with familiar photos, treasured objects, and comfortable furniture to create a sense of comfort and continuity.
• Clear Surfaces: Keep tables and surfaces clutter-free to reduce visual overload and make items easier to find.
• Television and Radio: Position the television to avoid glare. Ensure remote controls are simple to use or consider a universal remote with fewer buttons. Music can be very therapeutic; ensure access to a radio or music player.
• Avoid Reflections: Cover large mirrors if they cause confusion or distress. Ensure windows are clean to avoid reflections being mistaken for obstacles.

The Kitchen

• Safety Devices: Install automatic shut-off devices for kettles, irons, and hobs. Consider a gas shut-off valve if gas hobs are present. Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and regularly tested.
• Easy Access: Store frequently used items at an accessible height. Use transparent containers or label cupboards clearly with pictures and words.
• Sharp Objects and Chemicals: Store knives, sharp utensils, and cleaning products securely out of reach or in locked cupboards.
• Appliances: Simplify appliance use as much as possible. Consider removing or unplugging less frequently used or complex appliances.
• Food Labelling: Clearly label food items in the fridge and pantry with expiration dates and contents.

The Bedroom

• Comfort and Familiarity: Create a calm and familiar bedroom. Use soft, comforting bedding and familiar decor.
• Night Lights: Install discreet night lights to illuminate pathways to the bathroom and reduce disorientation during the night.
• Easy Access to Clothes: Organise wardrobes and drawers simply. Consider laying out clothes for the next day to simplify choice.
• Bed Rails: If there's a risk of falling out of bed, consider bed rails, but ensure they are fitted correctly and assessed by an occupational therapist to avoid other risks.
• Clocks: Use a large, clear clock, perhaps a 'day and night' clock that indicates morning or evening.

The Bathroom

• Grab Rails: Install grab rails near the toilet and in the shower/bath for stability.
• Non-Slip Mats: Use non-slip mats in the shower/bath and on the bathroom floor.
• Contrasting Colours: Use contrasting colours for the toilet seat against the pan, or the bath against the floor, to make them easier to distinguish.
• Temperature Control: Fit a thermostatic mixer tap or a bath thermometer to prevent scalding. Clearly label hot and cold taps.
• Easy-to-Use Taps: Replace twist taps with lever taps for easier operation.
• Accessible Toiletries: Keep frequently used toiletries within easy reach and clearly visible. Consider using pump dispensers rather than fiddly bottles.
• Privacy: Ensure the bathroom offers privacy and a sense of dignity.

Hallways and Stairs

• Clear Pathways: Keep hallways free of clutter.
• Good Lighting: Ensure hallways are well-lit at all times, with no dark spots or shadows.
• Stair Safety: If there are stairs, ensure they are well-lit, have clear contrasting edges, and sturdy handrails on both sides. Consider stairlifts if mobility is a significant issue.
• Mirrors: Avoid placing large mirrors at the end of hallways if they cause confusion.

Using Technology to Support a Dementia-Friendly Home

• Personal Alarms: Wearable devices that can alert a monitoring centre or family members in an emergency.
• Door and Window Sensors: To alert carers if a loved one leaves the house unexpectedly.
• Fall Detectors: Devices that automatically detect a fall and raise an alarm.
• Smart Plugs and Timers: To automatically switch off appliances or turn on lights.
• Smart Speakers: Can be used for reminders, playing music, or even making calls.
• GPS Trackers: For individuals prone to wandering, these can help locate them if they become lost (ensure privacy and ethical considerations are addressed).

The Importance of Routine and Engagement