A home is itself a world where dementia patients can feel comfortable and independent. If the home is unsuitable for their needs, we should opt for community assisted living or make our home environment better.
Over 55 million people suffer from dementia around the globe. Due to the rapid increase in the number of dementia cases, it becomes indispensable to take care of them as much as possible. Some researchers also show that every year, around 10 million new cases are encountered.
This blog will illuminate the various expert strategies and tips for assisted living caregivers that we can adopt to make homes suitable for dementia patients. But firstly, let us know why a dementia patient might struggle to function in their homes:
Why is it Challenging for Dementia Patients to Manage at Home?
Certain characteristics of dementia patients make it difficult for them to work properly at home. Seniors might need community assisted living or memory care to find purpose in their lives. Let us look at a few of them:
- Mobility problems
- Difficulty in interpreting & recognizing their surroundings
- Hearing or vision impairments
- Memory issues
- Other health-related issues, along with dementia
Considering the above factors, it is necessary to look for possible hazards that might make patients’ lives difficult. Therefore, taking a room-by-room tour to identify the areas for improvement and make suitable adjustments is beneficial.
Now, let us know the tips and strategies to create homes suitable for dementia patients:
Prime Ideas for Safety: Ensuring Dementia-Friendly Homes
There are certain adjustments that can promote the safety of dementia patients at home. Let us look at a few of them:
Removing Sharp & Pointed Objects
Dementia patients often suffer from vision issues, which makes sharp and pointed objects extremely dangerous for them. Therefore, it is a wise idea to remove them. For instance,
- Remove items like the toolbox, kitchen tools, nail cutters, etc.
- Avoid glass-made objects, which might break and create trouble.
- Avoid keeping table fans.
- Cover the sharp corners of the bed with a safety guard to prevent cuts.
Installing Essential Equipment
Assisted living caregivers should consider using safety alarms like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to know whether the patient is in trouble. Also, it is important to remove fire-hazardous materials.
If you go out for work, it is better to monitor their activities by installing cameras at home.
Safety Measures for Stairs
It is better not to allow dementia patients to live on the upper floors. However, if this is not possible, it is best to install handrails, which can help them go downstairs and upstairs by grabbing them. This ultimately helps in preventing falls and injuries.
Ensuring Safety from Short Circuits
There are certain tips to follow to avoid short circuits in the rooms of dementia patients. For instance,
- Regular check of wear and tear in wires.
- Using insulating material to the maximum.
- Install fuses or circuit breakers.
- Unplug appliances in their room when not in use.
Setting Alarms
Dementia patients often suffer from Alzheimer’s as well! Therefore, setting regular alarms for their routine work can be beneficial. Always display the emergency number and the work to do on the mobile phone with each buzz of the alarm.
Top Ideas for Comfortability: Caring for Dementia Patients
Making homes safe for dementia patients is important, but fostering comfort in homes like an assisted living community is also an important aspect of their better living. Let us see how we can create a comfortable environment for them at home:
Better Lighting
A bright living area helps dementia patients with little visual impairments. Ensure that natural light is available in their rooms. If not sunlight, it is better to install high-quality LED lights. Automatic light sensors can be a good option.
Making Eating & Drinking an Easier Task
Ensure that the eatables and drinkable liquids are easily accessible to them. Choose plates, cups, and tablecloths that contrast with food colors. Store the food in transparent plastic boxes so that the patients can see exactly what is inside each one.
Labeling
Dementia patients often have memory-related issues according to patient’s age. Labeling the items that are used can certainly be helpful in this case. Paste sticky notes on the cupboard or table to remind them when to have meals, medicine, emergency phone numbers, etc.
Keeping House Neat & Clean
Untidy rooms often create chaos and confusion; therefore, it becomes extremely important to keep the room clutter-free. Along with taking care of neatness, ensure that their room is noise-free. Switch off TVs or radios when not in use, listen at low volumes, etc.
Keep the Items Reminding Them of Their Memories
Treating family members as strangers by the patients is a heartbreaking moment for the loved ones. As patients do not feel comfortable around strangers, it becomes crucial for family members to remind them about their relationship with the patients.
Therefore, Keeping pictures of their happy moments and their favorite objects nearby can be beneficial in reminding them of their loved ones.
Conclusion
Given the growing number of cases worldwide, creating a comfortable and safe home environment for dementia patients is crucial. Addressing & resolving various challenges like mobility issues, memory impairments, and other health-related challenges can significantly improve their quality of life.
By implementing the expert strategies discussed above, we can make homes more suitable for dementia patients. These strategies ensure that they can live safely and comfortably. This helps them in providing necessary support and care to navigate their daily lives with dignity and ease.
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