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Redesigning a Home for Dementia Care

Written by: Cypress HomeCare Solutions

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease can still live at home as long as it’s a safe and comfortable environment for them. Alzheimer’s is one of the most debilitating diseases in today’s world and can cause erratic and unpredictable behavior among people who suffer from it. The last thing you want to do is put the patient or anyone else in the house at risk of danger by not creating an appropriate environment for them to live in.

Cypress HomeCare, a provider of trusted homecare in Scottsdale, offer dementia care programs that supply structure, stimulating activities, increased quality of life, training and education, and on-going support for the family. In this article we’d like to offer our suggestions on how to prepare your home for someone suffering from dementia.

1.Update Your Color Scheme

Choosing colors wisely helps a great deal with navigation, orientation, and independence. Brighter colors, like green, yellow or orange increase visibility with objects they may need to interact with often. Using warm colors like pink, purple or blue tones will decrease visibility which may help if you would like to “hide” objects from the person with dementia. It is always a good idea to offer him or her a chance to assist in picking new colors. This will give them an opportunity to boost self- confidence.

2.Switch Out or Add Fixtures

Making sure you have proper fixtures and settings in your home is a safety concern as well as a functional change. When providing Alzheimer’s care it’s important to note that things like doors, cabinets, faucets, and toilets attract wanted and unwanted attention. It is important to update these fixtures and settings so that they are simple easy to use, and are color-contrasted against their background. Instead of door knobs, try using handles. Think about installing hand rails on the wall that go from room to room. Make sure any furniture or fixtures they will be using are in fixed positions and cannot be moved easily.

3.Lighting

Natural light physically improves our well-being. Try to allow as much natural light in as possible throughout the day. Let natural light in from different directions in the house and open window curtains and/or shutters as much as possible. While natural light is ideal, don’t let any glare in as this could startle someone suffering from dementia. Using skylights and light shelves can help reduce glare. When using artificial lights, be sure to use lighting that has a soft glow, is not too bright and flicker-free. Natural light allows dementia care patients to become more attuned to the natural rhythms of day and night.

Cypress HomeCare, the dementia care experts of Arizona, encourage you to contact them today to set-up a free in-home care assessment.

We’re here to help.

Call (602) 264-8009 or contact us to learn more about home care services.

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