Environmental Suggestions
The use of colour to contrast or highlight key locations in the home can make it easier for persons with vision or perception difficulties to find these locations, such as:
- A bathroom door which has been painted a dark blue to make it stand out in the lighter coloured hallway;
- A navy blue toilet seat contrasted against a white bowl, cistern and light wall tiles;
- Stick contrasting tape on rails to help a person locate them;
- Grab rails which contrast against a lighter coloured wall, such as navy blue against cream tiles, will also support the easy location and identification of rails for people with decreased vision or when glasses are removed such as in the shower; and
- Non-slip bathroom floor tiles which contrast with the light coloured tiles on the wall.
Environmental adaptations can support safety and security, for example:
- A sign or label, and leaving the toilet door open, can help a person locate the toilet when they need it;
- The combination of a hobless shower, grab rails, a shower chair or a drop down shower seat and hand held shower fitting (which allows water flow to be directed away from the head and face) can provide for easy access for people who have reduced mobility while supporting their independence;
- Hinges which allow for removal of the bathroom door in an emergency, even if the door is closed;
- Heat lamps may make it more comfortable to undress and wash; and
- A shower curtain supports privacy and dignity and can make it easier for the person with dementia to enter the shower recess, as well as a carer if they are needed.