How to Create a Dementia-Friendly Home: Room by Room Modifications that Improve Safety and Increase Well-Being

Creating a dementia-friendly home that ensures the safety, comfort, and independence of individuals living with dementia is essential to quality of life. Thoughtful, low-cost modifications can reduce confusion, prevent accidents, and foster a sense of wellbeing. This outline provides simple, easy, room-by-room modifications that will make any home more dementia-friendly.

1. General Safety Principles for a Dementia-Friendly Home

Before tackling room-specific changes, start with the basics:

• Clear out the clutter to ease confusion and eliminate tripping hazards.

• Change your lighting to prevent shadows and disorientation.

• Contrast color combinations for walls, floors, and furniture increase visibility and make navigating the home easier.

• Label doors, closets, and drawers with clearly recognizable pictures or words.

• Dispose or prevent access hazardous items such as razors, sharp items, toxic chemicals, etc.

2. Entryway & Living Room

Potential problems: Wandering, difficulty recognizing the home, tripping hazards.

Modifications:

• Automated lighting systems or light sensors for increased visibility after dark.

• Position a familiar bench or comfortable seating in the entryway for comfort and identification with the home.

• Change the doormat to a contrasting color to distinguish the entryway.

• Replace or secure loose rugs with non-slip backing.

• Exhibit photos of family and loved one to strengthen connections to the home.

• Remove or cover mirrored surfaces if they trigger confusion.

3. Kitchen

Potential Problems: Forgetting appliance use, accidental burns, improper food storage.

Modifications:

• Install stove locks, covers, or an automatic shut-off device to prevent fires.

• Remove excess utensils especially sharp items and keep only essential items visible.

• Label kitchen cabinets with pictures (e.g., cups, plates) or set out dishware for easy access – inexpensive melamine will prevent breaks.

• White or bright colored dishes help distinguish food from the plate.

• Refrigerator locks can be used to curb overeating or unsafe food consumption.

4. Bedroom

Protentional Problems: Disrupted sleep, difficulty finding the bed, nighttime wandering.

Modifications:

• Add a nightlight or motion-sensor lighting to prevent falls or other safety issues.

• Use a minimal design or a single-color familiar bedspread to avoid confusion.

• Keep all pathways clear to prevent trips and falls.

• Install an indoor monitoring system or baby monitor if wandering is a concern.

• Place a digital clock with extra large numbers and letters to aid awareness of the day and time.

5. Bathroom

Potential Pro: Slipping, difficulty recognizing the toilet, confusion with faucets.

Modifications:

• Mount grab bars next to the toilet and inside the shower for stability.

• Install a high toilet or raised toilet seat to ease bending and sitting.

• Place large non-slip safety mats inside and outside the shower.

• Label hot and cold faucets with waterproof red and blue indicators.

• Consider a walk-in shower or extended bathtub transfer chair to reduce tripping hazards.

6. Hallways & Staircases

Potential Problems: Falls, disorientation or confusion in long corridors.

Modifications:

• Keep areas well-lit to avoid shadows.

• Mount handrails on both sides of staircases.

• Affix anti slip traction tape with glow in the dark or bright color to stair edges to prevent falls and increase visibility.

• Ensure areas are clear of furniture and open to ensure safe paths.

• Turn walls into family galleries with photos and artwork to aid navigation.

7. Outdoor Spaces

Potential Problems: Wandering, uneven terrain, difficulty recognizing boundaries.

Modifications:

• Repair and secure gates and fences to avoid wandering away from the area.

• Design a modest enclosed garden that allows for peaceful safe outdoor time.

• Establish non-slip walkways using outdoor heavy runners that lay flat.

• Setup timers for outdoor lights or use motion-sensor lights for evening safety.

• Keep poisonous plants and flowers out of yards and gardens and as always ensure walkways are obstacle-free.

Final Thoughts

A dementia-friendly home that prioritizes safety and encourages independence will allow your loved one to navigate their space with confidence. Regardless of creative ability, caregivers can provide a supportive environment that reduces stress and enhances quality of life by making simple, low-cost room-by-room adjustments,

Please check in with use for additional recommendations on assistive technologies or behavioral strategies for dementia care. We welcome your comments!