How to Prepare Your Home's Guest Room for Relatives With Dementia

The festive season is here! It is one of the most anticipated times of the year. From holiday travels and gifts exchange to going on vacation and hosting get-togethers, people worldwide celebrate the season in their unique way. Nobody wants to miss out on the fun, including the seniors, during this time. When a family member is hosting a senior loved one with dementia, they need to understand what it's like to live with dementia comprehensively.

By so doing, they will be able to create a dementia-friendly environment to help the seniors reduce stress and anxiety and make the most of the holiday celebrations. Here is how to make a bedroom dementia-friendly.

Reduce Clutter

Too much clutter can trigger confusion and increase cognitive overload reducing a senior's working memory. It can also trigger frustration and agitation and cause trips and falls. To avoid such instances, family members hosting seniors with dementia should ensure the guest bedroom is clutter-free.

Ensure There Is Enough Lighting

There are different types of lighting, such as task, ambient, and accent. Good lighting helps seniors with dementia be more aware of their surroundings. It also helps reduce slips and falls and affects the senior's mood. For instance, warm lights, such as yellow tones, help create a relaxing atmosphere, while cool lights, such as blue tones, increase focus.

Add Familiar Photos to Help Seniors With Dementia

Seniors with dementia may experience heightened anxiety and stress during social gatherings. Offering them a room with familiar photos, such as old family photos, may help stimulate positive memories, triggering a sense of belonging and calmness.

Use Signs and Labels

Using clear and accurate labels and signs on items such as soap, lotion, the toilet, and the bathroom door can help seniors navigate the room at ease without needing assistance.

Increase the Bed Visibility

A senior loved one with dementia may find it hard to identify a bed. To help manage such a challenge, family members hosting seniors with dementia should use contrasting colors in the bedroom carpet, bed covers, and pillows to make the bed stand out more than other features in the room. Using different colors also helps seniors easily identify different parts of the bedroom.

Remove Entertainment Devices

Electronic devices such as TV, computers, and smartphones should not be used in the bedroom. According to studies, the usage of electronic media in the bedroom can heighten the symptoms of insomnia. While seniors with dementia often experience sleep disturbances, getting rid of electronic distractions can be helpful.

Install a Motion Sensor

Seniors with dementia may unconsciously sleepwalk in the middle of the night. They could end up putting themselves in dangerous situations. To tackle this issue, family members hosting seniors can install motion sensors in the bedroom to alert them whenever the seniors try to open the bedroom room during sleepwalking episodes.

We Are the Professionals to Call

If you are looking for in-home care for seniors, we can help. At Senior Helpers Charleston/Mt., we are the leading provider of senior care throughout Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Moncks, and Daniel Island. We offer tailored services ranging from companion care to specialize care for senior loved ones with Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, and other chronic diseases. Contact us today for more details.