Did you know that over 500,000 people live with dementia in Canada alone? What’s more alarming, is that a vast majority of these people are seniors over the age of 65.
For those diagnosed with dementia, conducting daily activities can become challenging. This is because, depending upon the severity of the condition, one can have difficulty remembering, controlling emotions, thinking clearly, and reasoning.
This loss of cognitive functioning can interfere with their daily lives, routines, and activities. It can also make living at home a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
By simply making a few changes at home, you can create a safer environment for everyone.
7 Dementia Friendly Home Ideas
Who doesn’t love living in their own home? Many families would love to have their loved ones at home for as long as possible and we hope that these DIY ideas will help you do just that!
- Keep The House Clutter-Free
Having things lying around the house in an unorganized fashion can pose a real problem. People living with dementia can have trouble remembering and if things are just cluttered around the house it can become almost impossible for them to find what they need when they need it.
Always try to keep the house clean and tidy with everything organized in an orderly fashion. It is also highly recommended to use reminders and leave notes or signs in large writing to make them easily distinguishable and easy to read. This will make it easy for seniors to find what they are looking for and avoid confusion and distraction.
- Safe Flooring
Having things lying around on the floor can be extremely hazardous. Tripping over objects or wires lying on the floor is one of the most common reasons for falls.
As such, it is important to ensure that flooring is devoid of any rugs or mats and that all wires or cables are concealed and kept out of the way. It is also important to have flooring that isn’t shiny or slippery. In most cases, plain matt flooring works best. Flooring that is shiny or too colorful is best.
- Keep Hallways, Entrances & Exits Lit
Lighting is extremely important. The last thing anyone wants is to be walking around the house in darkness or in bad lighting. Make sure there are plenty of spaces where natural light can enter the house, keeping things bright during the day.
Consider replacing heavy thick curtains with light curtains that allow for more light to seep through. Also, make sure nothing is blocking light from coming through the windows.
At night, make sure that there is plenty of artificial lighting to help ensure that all hallways, entrances, and exits stay lit. It is also recommended to have a night lamp in the bedroom in case your loved one wakes up in the night to go to the washroom or get a glass of water.
A well-lit home will make it easier for seniors to move around and see things more clearly.
- Use Bright Colors For Furniture & Fixtures
Try to avoid having furniture that has patterns or stripes on them. Too many patterns on furniture or decor can cause visual confusion making things harder to see and distances harder to judge.
Instead, opt for furniture with bright contrasting colors that are easy to see and recall. For example, color the bathroom door a different color or have the phone placed on a brightly colored table.
- Keep Bathrooms Clean & Dry
It is necessary to always make sure that bathrooms are kept clean and dry. Anything that doesn’t belong in a bathroom should be disposed of..
Keeping bathrooms well-organized and squeaky clean will help lower the chances of unwanted accidents or falls. Make sure the bathroom accessories are a different color from the walls and flooring making them easily distinguishable and hard to miss.
- Use Tools & Devices To Ensure Safety
Advances in technology have helped make living at home a lot safer for seniors. Devices such as stove sensors and bed sensors can help keep seniors safe at home and give caregivers
much-needed peace of mind.
For those living alone, we recommend devices such as a basic alarm or automatic fall detection unit to ensure that in the event of a fall or accident help can arrive immediately.
Finally, to ensure that medications are being taken on time and in the right doses, devices such as an automatic medication dispenser can help.
To learn more about products that can help keep seniors safe at home visit Northwood Intouch today!
- Have An Easily Accessible Outdoor Space
It is vital for seniors to remain active and engaged when living on their own. This is why it is essential to have an easily accessible outdoor space where they can take walks or simply relax and breathe in the fresh air.
A backyard, patio, or lawn area is ideal but you have to make sure it is clutter-free and safe for seniors.
Final Thoughts!
With the dementia friendly home ideas above, seniors can be made to feel a lot more secure and confident when it comes to living on their own. These simple changes are not just beneficial for seniors with dementia but also for caregivers responsible for their health and well-being.
