Dealing with a diagnosis of dementia can be upsetting and stressful for the whole family. It’s important to seek advice and guidance from professionals as you navigate the diagnosis and aftermath.
If you plan to care for your loved one at home, you will need to make some changes to ensure your loved one remains safe, comfortable, and happy.
Hiring an in-home caregiver who specializes in dementia care or Alzheimer’s care can make the transition easier for everyone. Here are some tips for creating a calm space at home for a loved one with dementia.
Reduce Noise and Sensory Stimulation
People who have Alzheimer’s or dementia may be more sensitive to sound and lights. It will help if you make your home a calm space with limited noise and sensory stimulation. Some ways to do this include:
- Reduce glare by using window film or curtains and covering shiny surfaces like mirrors, table tops, and flooring.
- Move televisions, radios, and other noise-making electronics out of certain rooms.
- Install dimmer switches, light controls, or smart lights so that you have control over the light output in each room.
- Cover up blinking lights with electrical tape.
- Remove harsh overhead lights or fluorescent bulbs.
- Minimize distracting background noises.
- Use soft furnishings like sofas, cushions, and carpeting to reduce noise.
- Install motion-activated lights or room occupancy sensors in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen.
Get Rid of Clutter and Mess
Excessive clutter can cause stress and confusion. Cluttered walkways or floors can also increase the risk of a trip and fall. Streamline by getting rid of non-essentials, cleaning up regularly, and putting toys, shoes, clothing, and other objects away in closets or cupboards.
Store food properly in the cupboards, fridge, or pantry. Clean up toys and other items regularly so that they don’t cause a tripping or choking hazard. Secure all rugs and carpeting, and repair damaged flooring so that your loved one can move around the home easily without risk of injury.
Eliminate Safety Hazards
As your loved one’s symptoms progress, they may have a harder time getting around your home easily. Scheduling a home safety evaluation can help you identify safety hazards that could become more dangerous over time.
A professional evaluator will assess the home’s interior and exterior and point out areas that need to be repaired or upgraded, such as damaged flooring, poor lighting, and security risks. Eliminating these safety hazards can keep your loved one more comfortable at home.
Set Up a Consistent Daily Routine
It’s crucial to stick to a consistent routine when providing Alzheimer’s care or memory care to a loved one. Try to encourage your loved one to get up and go to bed at the same times every day, and hold mealtimes at consistent times each day as well.
Work closely with your in-home caregiver to create a daily routine that they will stick to while you are at work or out of the home. This will provide your loved one with needed structure as well as enhance their comfort and safety.
Label Doors, Cupboards, and Other Items
If everyday items are stored on high shelves in cupboards or closets, your loved one may not be able to find or reach them easily. They may also grow confused searching for things that they need but aren’t sure where to find.
You can reduce confusion and discomfort by carefully labeling doors, drawers, and storage containers so that things are easier to find. You can also place signs around the home that direct your loved one to specific areas, like the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and den or family room.
Make the Space Familiar
Do everything possible to keep the home familiar so that your loved one recognizes it and feels safe and comfortable there. Keep furniture placement consistent, and return items to their normal storage places so they are easier to find.
Avoid removing comforting items or belongings that are important to your loved one, like artwork, photos, pillows, blankets, and home decor. Having these items in consistent places will serve as helpful reminders to your loved one that they are in a familiar place that they recognize.
Let Them Have Their Own Personal Space
Unlike at assisted living facilities or Alzheimer’s care homes, your home can be personalized to your loved one’s preferences. Make sure that your loved one has their own personal, private space that they can use if they feel overwhelmed and need comfort.
For most families, this means a bedroom. Use your loved one’s favorite items, photos, bedding, and more to make the bedroom a safe space. Display memory triggers like photos and mementos. Provide soft, familiar items like blankets or a family quilt.
Install Safety Features and Alarms
People with Alzheimer’s or dementia have a tendency to wander, especially as their disease progresses. While your home may be safe for them when they are in a calm state, it may not be secure when they are agitated, emotional, scared, or stressed.
Make sure that your home is equipped with safety locks that prevent your loved one from leaving alone. You might also consider installing child-proof locks on cabinets or closets where medication, household cleaners and chemicals, and other potentially dangerous objects are stored.
If your loved one is prone to leaving the home and wandering, you might want to install security cameras and door and window alarms that notify you if someone has entered or left the home.
Work Closely With Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals
Finally, work closely with your loved one’s in-home care team as well as their physician and other healthcare professionals. Seek advice and guidance, and make sure you are always up to date on your loved one’s changing symptoms, mood, and needs.
Be prepared to make occasional changes in your home as your loved one’s symptoms progress. You may need to install advanced safety and security features in your home, remove dangerous items, or establish stricter daily routines.
Hire a Professional Caregiver for Alzheimer’s Care in Arizona
Placita In Home Care offers skilled Alzheimer’s care and dementia care that can be provided in the comfort of your own home. Your loved one can remain in a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment surrounded by their own belongings while getting the personalized care and attention they need.
We provide assistance with the tasks of daily living, including bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
We also offer mobility assistance and transportation to medical appointments and community activities. If you determine it is time for your loved one to transition into an assisted living Alzheimer’s facility, we can help.
To schedule a consultation for in-home Alzheimer’s care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.