10 ways to make your home dementia friendly
If you have dementia, living at home can help you to stay independent and enjoy the environment you’re used to. But you may need to make a few adjustments. There are lots of things you can do to help yourself keep safe, active and doing the things you want to do.
The Alzheimer’s Society has just published their 10 top tips for dementia friendly home:
1. Make sure you’ve got good lighting.
Check that natural light can get into your house – good lighting helps you see clearly and make sense of where you are. Make sure there’s nothing blocking light from coming in through the window. Also make sure your bedroom is dark enough at night, as this will help you sleep better.
2. Make sure your flooring is safe.
Remove anything that could make you trip up. Get rid of any rugs or mats, and watch out for other trip hazards like cables. Make sure you can see the flooring clearly too – plain matt flooring is best. Avoid having flooring that’s shiny or that’s a similar colour to the walls, as it may confuse you.
3. Make eating and drinking easier.
Eating and drinking well is important for your health. Use plates, cups and tablecloths with colours that contrast with food. Try using clear plastic containers to store your food, so you can see what’s inside.
4. Get furniture you can see clearly.
Dementia may affect how well you can tell the difference between colours. Use bright and contrasting colours to help you see furniture better. Avoid stripes and strong patterns as they can be confusing.
5. Remind yourself where things are.
If you have memory problems you may forget where things are kept. Put pictures or signs on cupboards and drawers so you know what’s inside them. Try to keep things like your keys, wallet and mobile phone in the same place.
Read the remaining five tips on the Alzheimer’s Society’s website
