Environmental Suggestions

  • Pathways to the shed or garage should be flat and even and with a surface that is slip resistant. To improve safety, consider path lights or glow in the dark strips available from hardware stores.
  • Minimise clutter and remove potentially flammable or dangerous materials from in and around the garage or shed to reduce the risk of trips, falls and other accidents.
  • Avoid using clear light bulbs or light fittings without a shade as these reflect glare and throw shadows which can be disturbing.
  • Reduce both day-time and night-time glare and reflections on windows by putting up coverings such as thin net curtains. Reflections in the glass can be misinterpreted as a stranger in or outside the shed or garage or give the person with dementia the feeling that they are in an unfamiliar environment.
  • Remove internal locks from garages or sheds to ensure the person with dementia is not able to accidentally lock themselves inside.
  • Hinges which allow for removal of the door in an emergency, even if the door is closed.
  • Disguising a door leading to the street may reduce the likelihood of a person with dementia wandering onto the street. Consider disguising the door either by painting the door and frame so that it blends in with the surrounding décor, or placing a full sized photographic mural on the door to reduce the visibility of the door.
  • Putting a ‘No Exit’ sign on a door leading to the street may be enough to stop a person with dementia from exiting through that door.