Dementia and Home Modifications

Are you caring for someone with a dementia diagnosis?

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming! Proper support, knowledge and an accommodated home can help reduce the caregiver burden and keep your loved one with dementia safe and independent for longer. The caregiver and the home environment are arguably the two biggest factors in determining the person with dementia’s ability to remain home.

An accommodated home is set up to promote safety, independence, and engagement for the person living with dementia. An accommodated home reduces the caregiver burden and improves the quality of life for both the person with dementia and their caregiver. Because the best home modification is an individualized one, the accommodations will look different for everyone and will change as the person progresses through their dementia.

Examples of home modifications may include:

• motion sensor nightlights to prevent falls
• labeled cabinets and drawers for ease of identification of necessary items, important for caregivers (there are often multiple caregivers!) and the person with dementia.
• Flooring that is visually distinct from the walls for fall prevention
• Establishing a daily routine that includes visual and environmental clues (open blinds, clocks, calendars, checklists).
• Gates at the top of stairs

One level living

• Alarms on doors
• Video baby monitors
• Shower grab bars and seat options for shower

A dementia diagnosis inevitably brings unwanted behaviors, many of which can result in the person no longer being able to stay home. Behaviors are a way of communicating and the caregiver who is informed and able to tune in to their person’s needs, will experience less burnout.

Examples of behaviors include:

• Wandering
• aggression and agitation
• separation anxiety

When there is more than one caregiver in the home, it is best if all the caregivers are approaching the person’s care in the same way. This includes the times of day personal care is carried out, routine and sequencing of the care, and the equipment is used.

It is never too late to put accommodations into place. It is never too late to get individualized guidance and education for the caregiver. It is never too late to make life better for the person living with dementia and their loved ones.

If you’d like to learn more about how to set your home up to help your loved one with dementia or how to advance your skills as a caregiver to a person with dementia please fill out our Contact Form

Thank you and be well!

Dena