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Creating a dementia friendly environment

  • Improved lighting: Dementia can impact a person’s sight so that the edges of furniture can become blurred posing a risk of trips or falls. A person with dementia can wake up frequently and feel disorientated in the dark, so it is advisable to leave a night light on, especially by the stairs or the toilet 
  • Natural Light: Try to increase the amount of natural light in the room by opening blinds and curtains, and that no outside plants are blocking out sunlight 
  • Flooring: Cover any shiny or reflective flooring, as this may be perceived as being wet, and the person with dementia may struggle to walk over it, however, small rugs or mats can be perceived as an object that they need to step over, which could lead to trips or falls 
  • Toilet seats that contrast in colour with the toilet bowl, floor and the rest of the bathroom will help the person with dementia to find the toilet easier 
  • Navigation: Using familiar ‘landmarks’ can help to navigate the person’s way around, both inside and outside. This could be for example a plant or a picture placed by their room entry to make it recognisable to individuals 
  • It’s possible to get household items that are specifically designed for people with dementia, for example large handled cutlery, Property Exit Sensors or the ‘magiplug’, which is a special plug that lets water out of a sink or bath if it gets too full, to prevent flooding 

 

Published: 2nd September 2016