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How Can You Make Your Home Dementia-Friendly?

Create a dementia-friendly home with Home Instead Bedford’s expert tips on lighting, flooring, colors, signage, and assistive technology.

Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with dementia? If so, you may be wondering how best to adapt your home to support this new chapter in life.

At Home Instead Bedford, we understand the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. Our goal is to help you create a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for your loved one, without compromising the warmth of home. Let’s explore some practical steps you can take.

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The Importance of Lighting in a Dementia-Friendly Home

Did you know that good lighting can significantly impact the safety and wellbeing of a person with dementia? Ensuring your home is well-lit can help reduce confusion and prevent accidents.

Here are some lighting tips to consider:

  • Avoid shadows and glare by positioning lighting to minimise reflections that may cause disorientation.
  • Make the most of natural light by keeping curtains open during the day and trimming trees or hedges that block sunlight.
  • Ensure high-traffic areas, bathrooms, and stairways are well-lit for improved safety.
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Two men sitting at a wooden table, sharing a moment while looking at a smartphone in a cozy room with framed art. - Home Instead

Flooring Choices Can Make a Big Difference

The type of flooring in your home can play a critical role in creating a dementia-friendly environment. Simple changes can help prevent confusion and reduce the risk of falls.

  • Remove rugs and mats that could cause trips and falls.
  • Avoid shiny flooring, as it may appear wet or slippery to someone with dementia, causing them to avoid walking on it.
  • Opt for flooring with a matte finish in contrasting colours to walls, making the environment easier to navigate.
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A caregiver assists an elderly man in a wheelchair in a cozy living room with a large window, lamp, and houseplants. - Home Instead

Selecting Colours that Support Dementia Care

Colour plays a crucial role in helping those with dementia navigate their home. Bold and contrasting colours can assist in distinguishing different areas, while subtle patterns can avoid creating confusion.

  • Use contrasting colours for walls, floors, and furniture to make different areas of the home stand out.
  • Change the colour of essential items, like toilet seats and door handles, to ensure they are easily recognisable.
  • Avoid bold patterns that could confuse or disorient your loved one.
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An elderly woman and a young woman sit on a couch, smiling as they look at a book together in a cozy living room. - Home Instead

Using Clear Signage to Aid Navigation

For individuals with dementia, signs and labels can make navigating the home much easier. Simple changes can enhance your loved one’s independence.

  • Use clear and bold signs, ideally with visual representations, placed at eye level to help with recognition.
  • Labels on cupboards, drawers, and switches can make daily tasks more manageable and reduce frustration.
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An elderly woman and a caregiver play a game at a wooden table with framed pictures on the wall behind them. - Home Instead

Managing Reflections and Mirrors

Mirrors can sometimes cause confusion or distress for people with dementia, as they may not recognise their reflection.

  • Consider removing mirrors or covering them when not in use to minimise confusion.
  • At night, close curtains to avoid reflections in windows, which can also be disorienting.
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Two women sitting on a sofa, smiling and playing video games together in a bright, modern living room. - Home Instead

Assistive Technology to Support Dementia Care

There are many helpful devices designed to assist individuals with dementia in their daily lives, making the home environment safer and easier to navigate.

  • Consider telephones with large buttons and simple displays.
  • Use audio reminders to help with daily tasks, such as locking the door or taking medication.
  • Install LCD clocks that display both time and date for added clarity.

At Home Instead Bedford, we’re here to support you in making your home as dementia-friendly as possible. Our home dementia care services are tailored to meet the individual needs of your loved one, ensuring they can continue to enjoy life in the comfort of their home.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help make your loved one’s home a safe and supportive space.

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An elderly woman and caregiver smiling while looking at a tablet in a cozy, plant-filled room. - Home Instead

Areas We Serve

Bedford, Biddenham, Great Denham, Queen’s Park, Brickhill, Clapham, Renhold, Kempston, Wixams , Cranfield, Marston Moretaine, Wootton, Bolnhurst, Colmworth, Keysoe, Melchbourne, Thurleigh, Ampthill, Clophill, Flitwick, Silsoe, Shefford, Campton, Chicksands, Meppershall

MK40 1, MK40 2, MK40 3, MK40 4, MK41 0, MK41 6, MK41 7, MK41 8, MK41 9, MK42 0, MK42 6, MK42 7, MK42 8, MK42 9, MK43 0, MK43 8, MK43 9, MK44 2, MK44 3, MK45 2, MK45 3, SG17 5

106A Bedford Rd, Wootton, Bedford MK43 9JB, UK

01234 677693

https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/bedford/