Living with dementia can be difficult. But there are ways to help make life easier on those affected by dementia. One of the biggest things is to transform a person’s living space into a dementia friendly home.
There are a handful of reasons a dementia friendly home is beneficial, but the most important is to make the person feel comfortable, independent and give the person a good quality of life.
It can be a challenge to accommodate a home to those living with dementia, but it is well worth it. The first thing is to make sure all tripping hazards are taken care of. Clutter on the floor can cause a person to fall easily.
An effective design can help a person thrive who is suffering with dementia. Good lighting is a big element to pay attention to because it helps compensate for aging eyes. It is best to use 2x the recommended level of lighting and to stay away from overhead lights because it causes a person to feel anxious, so stick to using table lamps or mounted wall lamps. It is beneficial to use daylight as much as possible so remember to keep clean windows for natural light to shine through and also keep curtains open during the day. Inside lighting should always match the lighting outside as it helps with circadian rhythm and to help maintain a healthy sleep pattern. An easily accessible touch lamp next to the bed will help if the person needs to get up in the middle of the night. Also, placing a nightlight near the bathroom is helpful.

Along with good lighting comes color and contrast. To help with aging eyes and to prevent confusion, use colored light switches on white walls or use white dinner plates on colored place mats. You want the person to be able to distinguish things easily. Try to use minimal patters on the floor and the upholstery and also steer clear of shiny floors, which could cause a person to think the floor is slippery and lose coordination.
Other things to consider when it comes to losing coordination is to tape down all area rugs or avoid using them. Make sure that all electrical cords or items along the floor are put up neatly. Leave the doors open to commonly used rooms and make sure that all seating is comfortable and easy to sit on. When it comes to bathrooms, use raised seats and safety bars for ease and also stick to non-slip mats.
Use a designated area to keep keys and commonly used items to help with memory loss. It is also smart to label drawers and cabinets. Keeping a list of important phone numbers and reminders of daily routines is crucial to a person suffering from dementia. You always want the person with dementia to feel comfortable and to know what to do if they need help.
Always keep photos and happy memorabilia around. This can help with the person’s mood and remind them of happy times. The main goal is to make sure the person suffering with dementia still finds joy in things and can still function on a daily basis. This can be achieved with a dementia friendly home along with lots of support!
SMART is committed to helping treat cases of early stage dementia, that’s exactly why we developed our brain training therapy that is backed by research. If you or someone you know is affected by dementia, get started with Brain U Online today!

Author: Smart Brain Aging
Contact us:
SMART Brain Aging, Inc.
5111 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 105 Scottsdale, AZ 85258