Suggestions
- Having a set place for regularly used items that can make it easier to find them at a later time.
- Minimise clutter (if acceptable to the person with dementia) to reduce the visual and physical overload of the environment.
- Moving regularly used items to a level between shoulder and hip height can assist by bringing the items into field of vision, thus making it easier to see and reach.
- To reduce the risk of a person with dementia walking into glass doors, place bright stickers below eye level on the doors.
- If seeing their own or others’ reflections in mirrors is distressing to a person with dementia, remove or cover all mirrors.
- Use a handheld shower and shower stool or chair. The handheld shower allows the water flow to be directed away from the face and head. The hose assists with reaching the back and lower body areas and can be less threatening. A shower chair can provide support and stability thus reducing fatigue. Grab rails (not towel rails) can provide support when standing in the shower or using the toilet. Occupational therapists working in community health settings can visit your home and talk to you about your needs.
Safety and Security Window Film bonds to glass. It is resistant to tearing or penetration and is suitable for windows, glass doors and shower screens. This is a useful product for older homes that do not have safety glass. An adhesive is used to bond the safety film to the glass and the film usually needs to be installed by a licensed installer.
Sheer Net Curtains reduce both day-time and night-time glare and reflections which can be distressing for the person with dementia. Reflections in the glass can be misinterpreted as a stranger in the home or that the person is in an unfamiliar environment.
Lounge or Armchair Armrests - the height of the seat, the depth and the firmness of the cushions of the lounge or armchair can make it easier for someone to safely manage moving from sitting down to standing up. For someone with vision impairment or perception problems plain colours that contrast between the walls, curtains and flooring can make the chair easier to locate in a ‘busy’ or ‘cluttered’ environment.
Hand Rails provide support for mobility and safety for those using stairs or a ramp. Contrasting the colour of the rails with the surroundings can make it easier for individuals with vision or perception difficulties to locate the rails.
Barn Door - fitting a barn door can be useful as a barrier for a person with dementia if they have difficulty recognizing unsafe situations such as wandering into the kitchen at busy times. The door prevents entry but still enables them to see what their loved one or carer is doing. A barn door is divided so that the top half of the door can be open while the lower half remains closed.
Painting and Colour - using matt paint instead of gloss can reduce the incidence of reflected glare which can be disturbing for people with vision impairment and those with dementia. Reflected light and glare can make it difficult to see environmental cues that we use to help us to find our way. The use of colour to contrast or highlight key locations in the home can make it easier for individuals with vision or perception difficulties. Alternatively, colours can be used as a method of disguising or blending in areas of the home that may be unsafe and that you wish to divert attention away from.