Licensed Monetary Planner and Seniors Actual Property Specialist
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Kimberly Turner, CFP®, WMCP®, CRS®, LHC®, REI®, SRES® is a Licensed Monetary Planner and Seniors Actual Property Specialist gives the following tips for making a house Dementia Pleasant.
■ Making a house protected and safe is essential for somebody with dementia.
Take away extra furnishings to create clear pathways and cut back tripping hazards. Set up handrails or seize bars in areas the place the individual may have additional assist, corresponding to within the toilet or close to stairs. Use non-slip mats or rugs to stop slips and falls. Safe unfastened cords or wires to stop tripping. Set up smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and verify them usually to make sure they’re working correctly. Lock up any hazardous supplies, corresponding to cleansing merchandise or sharp objects, to stop unintentional accidents. Think about using childproof locks or latches on cupboards or drawers that comprise harmful gadgets.
■ Eradicating nonessential gadgets is a vital modification for making a house extra dementia-friendly. An excessive amount of litter can create visible confusion and make it tougher for people with dementia to seek out the gadgets they want.
To make it simpler for people with dementia to seek out frequently-used gadgets, it’s really helpful to maintain surfaces clear and arranged. This will embrace decluttering counter tops, eradicating extra furnishings, and holding flooring away from obstacles.
It’s additionally useful to create designated areas for various gadgets, corresponding to a chosen spot for keys, glasses, or different frequently-used gadgets. Utilizing labels or image cues can even assist people with dementia to find gadgets extra simply.
By eradicating litter and creating organized areas, people with dementia can preserve their independence and cut back frustration and stress when performing on a regular basis duties.
■ Leaving doorways open and/or including easy indicators is an efficient means to assist people with dementia navigate their dwelling extra simply.
When the doorways are left open, it makes it simpler for people with dementia to see the place they’re and the place they should go. Closed doorways can create confusion and nervousness, particularly if the person can not keep in mind which room the door results in.
Including easy indicators or footage with an arrow pointing to important rooms may also be useful. This will embrace indicators for the toilet, kitchen, bed room, or different frequently-used areas. The indicators must be easy and straightforward to grasp, with a single phrase or an image to assist the person keep in mind the aim of the room.
It’s vital to understand that if there are rooms that shouldn’t be entered, corresponding to a storage room or a room with harmful tools, these doorways must be stored closed and locked. This will stop the person with dementia from by accident coming into the room and doubtlessly harming themselves.
■ Utilizing daring and contrasting colours is a good way to make it simpler for people with dementia to see and establish helpful objects.
Utilizing colours that distinction with one another will help spotlight vital gadgets, corresponding to a white bathroom seat on a darkish toilet flooring or a crimson treatment bottle on a white countertop.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to maintain patterns to a minimal and keep away from utilizing too many clashing patterns in decor. Too many patterns can create visible confusion and make it tougher for people with dementia to tell apart between completely different objects. This will trigger frustration and nervousness, which may additional impair their cognitive perform.
Through the use of daring and contrasting colours whereas holding patterns to a minimal, people with dementia can higher navigate their environment, decreasing the chance of confusion and agitation.
■ Including orienting gadgets like an easy-to-understand clock and calendar might be very useful for people with dementia.
Having an easy-to-read clock that clearly states the time, time of day, day, and date will help the person really feel extra oriented to their setting and the passing of time. This will additionally assist them maintain observe of appointments or occasions.
It’s vital to put the clock in a visual and accessible location, corresponding to on the bedside desk or within the room the place the person spends most of their time. A digital clock with massive, clear numbers and an easy-to-read show might be significantly useful.
A big print calendar may also be useful for holding observe of days and vital occasions. This will help the person preserve a way of routine and construction, which might be comforting for these with dementia. The calendar must be positioned in a visual location and will have massive, clear numbers and an easy-to-read structure.
■ Including photographs or keepsakes that evoke optimistic recollections is a good way to make a house extra dementia-friendly.
Putting photographs of family members, acquainted locations, or memorable occasions in a distinguished place within the dwelling will help people with dementia join with their previous and really feel extra comfy of their environment.
This will additionally present a way of continuity and assist to keep up their sense of id. It’s vital to decide on gadgets which have optimistic associations for the person, as unfavourable recollections or feelings could cause misery.
Total, making a dementia-friendly dwelling includes making considerate and intentional modifications that prioritize security, independence, and luxury.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Comments