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

When people who have never been in a caregiving role are hosting loved ones with dementia, the prospect of setting up a guest room for them can feel intimidating. The goal is to provide a safe, comfortable space for the senior without triggering the confusion that is part of the dementia experience. 

Here are a few tips that will help make seniors with memory issues feel more at home so that everyone can enjoy one another's company with the least amount of stress. 

Remove Clutter

Guest rooms are often multipurpose. They serve as home offices, exercise rooms, and handy storage spaces. Any time a senior will stay in a guest room, it's a good idea to remove trip-and-fall hazards. Hosts will need to take extra steps when preparing a guest room for a senior with dementia. 

• Clear out the closet and any dressers so they don't mistake other people's clothing for theirs.
• Relocate any unnecessary furniture that might make the room seem too closed-in or hard to navigate. 
• Remove computers and personal papers so they don't think it's their desk at home or even their old office.
• Remove photographs of people and places they don't know or those that might evoke bad memories or feelings.
• Keep surfaces clear of anything but the necessities.

By removing as many personal items as possible, there will be a clean slate on which to create a space for a loved one with dementia. 

Make Items More Visible

When preparing a guest room for a senior with dementia, make sure it is decorated with solid, contrasting colors so they can more easily find things in there. For example, a light-colored tray on a dark-colored nightstand would be an excellent place for them to place small personal items. Avoid busy patterns as they can confuse a person with memory issues. 

Personalize the Space

Put out a few framed photos that will evoke good memories. Does the senior have a calendar or a special clock that helps them keep track of time? These could be helpful for them to bring, or the host can provide them. Some seniors in memory care appreciate a clock and a calendar in their room. Wall calendars are especially useful in that they can contain information about where the senior is, what the occasion is, and what events are scheduled to occur. 

Identify Doors

Rooms with multiple doors are very confusing to most seniors with memory challenges. If there are closet doors or a door to an adjoining bathroom, clearly label each so that the senior can easily distinguish between them. It's also a handy tip for drawers and cabinets and may be used throughout the home. 

Ask for Assistance If Needed

Speak with family and household members well in advance. This is so they know what to expect from the senior's visit and that their help and patience are important. If the senior visitor's usual caregiver isn't able to accompany them, contact Senior Helpers of Hendersonville for in-home support. Serving seniors in Hendersonville, Gallatin, Clarksville, Goodlettsville, and Cookeville, our memory care professionals can assist hosts and their senior loved ones during their visit.