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For many people the changes associated with dementia, such as memory loss, difficulty with making sense of their environment, or finding things around them, can exacerbate anxiety and frustration. The lounge room is an area of the home that is often used for leisure and lifestyle activities. Creating an environment where distractions, clutter and obstacles are minimised can make it easier to attend to the environment and focus on the task at hand.
Providing memory triggers such as labelled photos and memorabilia can also reinforce the person’s sense of identity and provide pleasure.
Environmental features to note in the lounge room include:
Furniture
The furniture has been selected for its functionality and again to demonstrate that ‘aged and frail’ suitability does not necessarily mean that it does not have style.
The materials selected are water proof, provide good colour contrast with the floor and are comfortable. The seats and lounges have good lumbar support.
Sturdy arm rests and firm cushions promote independence and reduce falls risk by allowing a frail person to sit and stand with minimal assistance and prevent the person sinking into the chair. Furniture should be the correct height for the person (person’s feet should rest on the floor when sitting).
Furniture has been arranged to allow enough circulation space to move about freely with a walking stick, frame or wheelchair if used.
Importantly, the floor is free of hazards such as rugs, or items that can be tripped upon or walked into.
Curtains
The curtains are fire retardant and have been selected to give a modern comfortable feel to the house, without loosing the traditional feel that appeals too many of the older generations. Sheer net curtains have also been used to reduce and minimise anxiety from glare and reflections in the windows.
Carpet
The carpet installed in the home is Explorer – Cliff Shadow, by C & A. It has been manufactured for the health and aged care industries. The carpet, having been researched and trialled in our aged care facilities, is being installed in both high care and dementia specific facilities because it:
- provides ‘rollability’ for those using wheel chairs and a firm surface to accommodate walking frames and unsteady feet.
- is made of solution six dyed nylon and does not stain or absorb odours.
- is easy to maintain and spills do not create trip hazards
- meets Building Code of Australia (BCA) standards for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions and flammability, and
- meets BCS standards for environmentally friendly products – with a backing that is made from recycled materials (motor vehicle windshields) and is 100% recyclable
- is a direct stick carpet, requiring no glues for installation
- can be repaired using a ‘cookie cutter’, where a damaged piece is cut out and a new piece inserted, and
- has a 25 year warranty.
Paint
The paint is Wattyl i.d., a low emission paint that has few traditional paint odours, in a ventilated room any odour will be eliminated after one hour. The colours in the home have been selected to allow a modern feel that is warm and welcoming. Each of the smaller rooms has a feature wall to give differentiation and some subtle identification.
Glass
The lower panels of glass in the living room have had safety film applied to prevent lacerations from a fall. Glass below 1 metre should be safety glass. The film provides a cost effective solution.
Door hardware has been designed to provide safety and ease of use
The TV has been positioned away from glare.
Contrast using colours has been achieved between the furniture and the floor, and walls and doorways to highlight boundaries and assist a person with perception difficulties. Contrast has also been used to make light switches clearly identifiable.
Notice how cord clips have been used to keep electrical cords safe, tidy and disguised. Tangled electrical cords may lead to distress for some people, which can lead to danger. Long electrical cords on appliances may also be replaced with coiled or retractable cords. Outlet covers or power point safety covers have been used in the home to demonstrate simple possible safety features. Safety switches / circuit breakers are installed to prevent electrocution.
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.