Environmental Suggestions
Furniture - there are many lounge chairs designed for both functionality and appearance. There are chairs that have casters with brakes, retractable foot rests and attendant rail at the rear of the back rest which allows a carer to push the chair if needed. Many of these chairs can be upholstered with stain resistant or water proof fabric which will fit in with the décor of the home.
Ironing - there are a number of ironing cabinets available which are slimline and designed to fit on brackets or into the wall cavity. The ironing board folds up and away out of sight into the cabinet and, with the cabinet door closed, provides extra room when not in use. An iron safe can be mounted on the wall or placed inside a cupboard. It has a heat resistant backing plate and a space for the cord. A hot iron can be placed inside the unit and the cover can then be closed while the iron cools down.
Labels or Signs placed on shelves, cupboards and doors can assist in locating items or finding a room in the house. Signs and labels need to be clear. Letters should be large with a strong contrast, for example black writing on a white background. Signs can also have a picture of the items inside the cupboard. Placement of signs is important. A sign that is placed too high will not be noticed by a person who is stooped. As dementia progresses the tendency is to look downwards. Signs that are laminated with, or painted with, gloss surfaces are unlikely to be noticed because of the glare reflected from them. Low glare laminate is available from office suppliers and lowers glare reflection.