How to make your loved one’s home safe when living with dementia

When a loved one is living with dementia, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to live safe and well at home.

Not only will this help them to retain their independence at home, but it will also help to provide you with peace of mind that they are okay.

Below are 5 things for you to think about that will help you create a safer home environment for your loved one so that they can continue to live safe and well at home with dementia.

 

1. Create a calm and quiet environment

If your loved one also has problems with their sight and hearing, it can make dementia symptoms worse, so creating a calm and quiet environment is incredibly important. For example, their hearing aid will magnify particular sounds within the home, which could become uncomfortable.

Use soft furnishings, such as cushions and curtains, and consider carpeting any hard floors to help absorb noises. Minimise clutter and create a calm living space to reduce trip hazards, especially if they have sight problems. 

This will help to reduce any sensory overload that your loved one may experience.

 

2. Ensure there is good lighting

Try to ensure good natural lighting during the day, as much as possible. Keep curtains open during the day and consider removing any net curtains or blinds that may reduce natural light.

You should also consider obstructions outside, such as trees or walls that cast shadows over your loved one’s home, and see whether the amount of light they block can be reduced.

Consider motion-activated night lights that will automatically switch on if your loved one gets up in the night.

Ensure that lamps and light switches are also accessible so that your loved one can easily switch them on when required. Touch lamps could be a good option, particularly if your loved one also struggles with poor dexterity.

 

3. Consider furniture placement and floor surfaces

In addition to creating a calm environment for your loved one, you may also want to make sure there is plenty of space for them to safely move about.

This could mean moving or even getting rid of furniture that is either in the way or may pose a trip hazard, to create enough space.

You should also consider the floor surfaces in your loved one’s home. Carpets will provide a softer walking surface and more protection if they do trip or fall.

Reduce the use of rugs or mats – where this isn’t possible, ensure they are secured to the floor so that they don’t become a trip hazard.

 

4. Use signs and labels to help your loved one

To aid your loved one’s memory, consider putting signs or labels on doors to remind them which room is which. This could also be useful in the kitchen to remind them of what’s in the cupboards or place them on bedroom drawers, for example.

If your loved one is at risk of leaving their home and walking about, it may also be helpful to place a sign on the front door to encourage them to contact you or another family member before they leave home.

You could also create simple instructions that they can easily follow and that remind them how to do certain tasks or use certain items, such as the TV or the microwave.

 

5. Consider assistive technology

Whilst taking the practical steps above will help you to support your loved one, you may still worry about how they are doing at home when you can’t be with them.

With assistive technology, you can ensure that help will immediately be available if something does happen when they are alone.

There are sensors that will automatically send an alert if something is wrong, for example:

• In case they’ve accidentally turned the heating up or left a door/window open, an ambient temperature detector can ensure your loved one isn’t exposed to extreme temperatures that could be dangerous to them.
• If a sink or bath overflows because the tap has been left running, a flood detector will send an alert out as soon as the overflowing water is detected.
• If they need to take specific medication at certain times, a medication unit will dispense the exact medication required at the right time and will also alert our alarm response centre if it hasn’t been taken.
• If your loved one struggles with movement, chair/bed sensors, and inactivity sensors can monitor if they haven’t moved for a while.

Sensors like these can be added to our Lifeline Alarm Plan, which can provide you with peace of mind that help will always be available to your loved one.

To find out more about how sensors like these can help your loved one with dementia to remain safe and independent at home, hit the button below…

 

Click Here to Find Out More About Keeping Your Loved One Safe At Home