Everyday life for someone dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can be extremely challenging, but simple adaptations to a dementia-friendly home can be a great help and allow the individual to regain a sense of independence.
How Simple Changes for a Dementia-Friendly Home Benefit Seniors
Allowing your elderly loved ones to continue doing the things they love means that their daily routine is not disturbed, leading them to live a more fulfilled lifestyle on their terms. On top of that, more active fun can be introduced now that the home is safer to stay in so that your elderly loved one stays mentally and physically stimulated. Let’s get right into the simple changes you can make to keep your loved one safer within the comfort of their home.
Tips for a Dementia-Friendly Home
Here are a few general tips to keep any room of a house dementia-friendly:
- Establish the recommended level of lighting in the house to compensate for aging and dementia-affected eyes. If you aren’t making full use of the sunlight, ensure that curtains are kept open throughout the day to allow as much natural light in as possible. The use of “home-style” lighting like wall-mounted lights or table lamps can make a space feel cozier.
- Assign a designated area to drop the mail, glasses, keys, cards, and anything your loved one frequently carries around. You can also label where different items should be placed so your elderly loved one would not be losing their items as frequently as they would.
- Use a small bulletin board to list down your loved one’s daily routine. It would be easier for them to be directed to the board every day so they will recall what they should do for the day.
- Tape down all rugs and carpets as well as all tripping hazards like wires or cables on the floor. If it still doesn’t seem safe, remove them altogether.
- Paste a list of emergency phone numbers next to the telephone, with photos next to them if possible, so that they are easily recognizable by your loved one.
Benefits of Moving into a Dementia-Friendly Community
While each of these changes contributes to improved independence, safety, and quality of life overall for your loved ones, they may have a better opportunity to thrive where there’s round-the-clock care. Along with being surrounded by friends, a retirement community is where many retirees choose to spend their golden years for all the benefits they provide. At Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay, we host a wide array of high-quality amenities, services, and activities that your loved one will have full access to. If a more active social life is something they’re looking for, this may be the sign to consider moving into a retirement community.
Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay has a range of top-notch amenities and services in our retirement community and we easily rank as one of the top destinations among retirees. Participate in a community where you’re ensured maximum support to live life to the fullest, worry-free. If you have any inquiries about our range of services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
