Click here to see the technology in this area of the BCS Age Friendly Home
Completing normal household activities is a matter of pride for some of our older residents; daily washing is a task that can be completed efficiently within the home. Common dementia related issues in the laundry may include difficulties with using appliances and remembering to hang laundry, and with maintaining safety (chemical, electrical, flood, fire, slips and falls). This can lead to changes in appearance and grooming.
Note the following Environmental features of the laundry on display in this house.
- familiarity – set place for items, between shoulder and hip heights
- parliament hinges on doors
- camouflage – laundry disguised by painting doors and architraves same colour as walls
- sign – reminder to clean lint filter
- taps – clearly showing hot and cold
- remove excess clutter
- shelving or remove cupboard doors
- lighting
The Laundry Renovation
To demonstrate how areas in a home may be disguised, the laundry doors have been painted the same colour as the walls, as have the door jambs and architraves. This has made the laundry less obvious and perhaps not at all noticeable to a family member with dementia. The bathroom door opposite has been painted a dark blue to make it very noticeable. These subtle differences in the home can make life a little easier for carers of those with dementia.
The philosophy behind this laundry renovation was one of convenience and meeting the needs of older residents who wish to stay in their own homes. The original laundry was outside and was accessed by steps from the back porch. This was converted to an outside toilet. The home we have renovated is a small brick veneer cottage approximately 30 years old. We were fortunate that the internal walls were timber stud walls with gyprock lining and not load bearing. This enabled us to demolish the wall that divided the third small bedroom and the hallway and convert that bedroom into an internal laundry and a sewing or media room.
The laundry opens onto the hallway and opposite the bathroom. The location opposite the bathroom is ideal for workflow within the home. The hinges on the doors are parliament hinges allowing them to open flat against the wall. We have used a combined washer and dyer to save space. The unit has been installed on a plinth to increase the height for loading and unloading, making it suitable for older people and those in wheelchairs.
The laundry contains a small tub, an exhaust fan and a light that automatically turns on when the doors are opened; turning off once the doors close. Adequate natural or artificial light in the laundry area for age, vision and perception needs is advisable.
The carpet has been laid into the laundry area; this is possible because of the construction of the carpet and its nylon fabric.
Some of the ideas are simple and inexpensive, whilst others require professional installation and are more costly. For professional advise regarding your circumstances and needs, please contact the Independent Living Centre on 1300 885 886.