Dementia Friendly Home

Dementia Friendly Home

The fundamental purpose of a dementia friendly home is to compensate for the effects of dementia and to support retained function and skills. Maintenance of quality of life for the individual person with dementia is the desired outcome. The quality of life of people with dementia is expressed through their response to their environment.

The is to create an environment which balances sensory stimulation so that neither over-stimulation nor boredom predominate.

The built environment will contribute significantly to the quality of life for people with dementia when it provides:

·        Balanced and controlled stimulation

·        Features that assist orientation

·        Success, self-esteem and confidence

·        Involvement in everyday activity

·        Supporting relationships with family, friends and the community

·        Unobtrusive security

Some ways to make the kitchen as useful and safe as possible for a person with dementia:

·        simplify the kitchen at the same time as keeping it as familiar as possible. If the person can no longer participate in kitchen activities and if space allows, consider adding a comfortable chair so that they can sit and observe. This enables them to continue to experience the familiar kitchen activities, noises and smells.

·        Pop-up toasters, and ‘auto cut off’ cordless kettles and irons are safer.

·        Put a note on the wall “turn stove off” or write step-by-step instructions.

·        To discourage use of stove try: Knob covers, master cut off switch for the stove in a discreet place, removing the stove knobs or disconnecting the stove.

·        Label cupboards, reduce the number of each type of item, keeping just a few of the most commonly used things.

·        Medicines, cleaning products, solvents and pesticide products need to be locked away.

·        Keep emergency phone numbers with simple instructions near the telephone.

Some ways to make the bathroom and toilet as useful and safe as possible for a person with dementia:

·        Put a sign on the door with words, symbols or a picture indicating the toilet. Leave a night light on in the toilet and have lights leading along the hall to the toilet from the bedroom.

·        Remove the waste paper baskets or any items in the toilet or other rooms which may be

mistaken for a toilet.

·        Put up a sign reminding the person with dementia to use toilet paper,flush the toilet and wash their hands.

·        Remove the lock from the toilet door so the person won’t get locked in.

·        Remove loose mats and check for loose edges of floor covering to prevent falls.

·        Avoid white plastic toilet seats. Use a contrasting color for easier identification.

·        Remove toilet cleaning products for safety.

Modifying the living room might become necessary. The whole aim is to simplify the living room so that the person with dementia can maintain their skills and use the room safely. Ideally it will be possible to maintain a familiar environment that will trigger memories for the person with dementia.

Check to see if any of the following present a barrier to independence or safety in the living room:

• Furniture edges

• Loose floor coverings or rugs

• Cupboards and the way they are organized

• Lighting and glare

• Power points and electrical lead

Some ways to make the bedroom as useful and safe as possible for a person with dementia:

·        Beds with adjustable height can be very helpful for transfers in and out of bed. Hospital beds, with adjustable height and the facility to raise the head or foot of the bed.

·        Lighting during the night - Soft night lights so that they will not be disoriented if they wake and get up during the night. Sensor lights in the house and yard are good for some people who wander at night, but others find them disturbing.

·        The installation of handrails is useful in preventing falls and assisting mobility.

Some ways to make furnishings and décor as safe and comfortable as possible for a person with dementia.

Some people with dementia use furniture for support as they walk to prevent falls. It may be necessary to remove swinging chairs, chairs on wheels and rocking chairs, as well as obstacles like coffee tables and foot stools, from walking paths.

Recliner chairs that tilt back can be comforting and safe for people who have a tendency to fall forwards out of a regular flat seat.

Remove furniture with sharp edges or find some way of padding or covering the edges.

Remove sharp objects if they are likely to cause harm.

Photos could be labelled with names and relationships.

When making changes it is important to retain the familiar, change as little as possible, reduce confusing clutter and enhance memories and comfort.