If you are the adult child or spouse of a senior with dementia, you know just how important it is to make sure that they are properly cared for as their dementia worsens. One way to do this is to ensure that the home that they spend their time in is well suited to them and meets their needs. Having a home that is organized and functions well for someone with dementia, can make a big difference for them. Here are some great tips for organizing a home for better dementia care.
Get Rid of Clutter
One thing that you can do to organize a home for better dementia care, is to get rid of all the extra clutter that is lying around. This clutter can be very overstimulating for your loved ones with dementia, and they may become confused and stressed simply by the sight of it. Slowly go through the items that are cluttering the area, and start by throwing away or donating items that are no longer needed. You can then carefully organize and put away the other items of clutter.
Enhance the Lighting
Another great tip for organizing a home for better dementia care is to enhance the lighting in the home. If some rooms have dim lights, this can make it difficult for your loved ones to see throughout the room, and it may cause them to get lost and confused. This is often very scary for them. If you take out the dim lights and replace them with bright LED lights that provide a clear view of all the surroundings, your loved one will have a much easier time seeing around and will feel more comfortable.
Add Grab Bars
Getting around can sometimes be difficult for someone with dementia, especially if they are somewhat unsure of where they are going. They may also still want to be independent but need some additional help to do so. This is where grab bars come into play. You can use them down halls, in bathrooms, and anywhere else that your loved one may need to go on their own.
Incorporate Signs and Labels
A lot of things that your loved one used to remember, will now be hard for them. Because of this, it is a great idea to incorporate some signs and labels throughout the home. You can label drawers, cabinets, containers, appliances, and more. You can also place signs on doors and floors so that your loved one with dementia is better able to remember where certain items are within the house. This allows them some more independence and helps them to care for themselves.
Getting the help that you need to care for your loved one with dementia in Richmond, Midlothian, Petersburg, and Glen Allen, is definitely possible, and making some adjustments to the home that they live in can make a very positive impact on them. They will feel as if their home is a welcoming place that they understand, rather than a scary place with a lot of unknowns that confuse them. To get some incredible help today, visit us at Senior Helpers Richmond West.