Home Safety Part 2

Step 4. Inspect each room.

People with dementia have an easier time deciphering a room when the walls are painted in a pale color that reflects light and contrasts with the floor. Also note:

• Busy wallpaper patterns can be confusing.
• Wall mirrors, especially large ones, can make the room harder to process. It’s difficult to separate what’s real from the reflection — which can cause confusion, fear and anxiety.
• Slippery throw rugs, curled edges on carpets, footstools and toys can be stumbling blocks for your loved one. Scan the floor. Put a rubber-backed rug in a single bright color in front of doors to help the person recognize that they are at the entrance.  (A dark rug can be seen as a hole in the floor.)
• Clutter is confusing. You see your collectibles as charming; people with dementia see them as a visual hodgepodge. The stuff of everyday living — stacks of papers, books, mugs, loose change, pictures, a laptop — make it hard to decipher the room. A minimalist look works best for those with dementia.
• Strong, low-glare lighting and sensor night-lights will help your family member with visual perception and physical coordination. Arrange lights to prevent or minimize shadows.

• Visual and perceptual impairments can make glass doors seem like open space. Put stickers, bright tape or removable wall decals on patio doors.

Step 5. Inspect the bathroom.

• Consider removing locks from bathroom doors to prevent your loved one from getting locked in or locking you out.
• Water can make tile or linoleum slippery. Use large nonskid bathmats.
• Install grab bars. An occupational, physical or certified aging-in-place therapist can best evaluate your loved one's needs and suggest placement of safety grab bars. (If your loved one’s doctor orders a consultation, see if health insurance will cover the cost). Many grab bars are designed to also serve as towel bars, toilet paper holders and in-shower shelves.
• Ensure that outlets in the bathroom have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or are protected by a GFCI circuit so they will shut off if they get wet.
• Install temperature-controlled water faucets to avoid scalding.

• Put medicines in a lockbox and block access to cleaning supplies and razors. You may want to switch to a cordless electric shaver.
• Does your family member need a raised toilet seat? A shower chair?
• If you are installing a new bathroom for your family member, use a frameless walk-in shower with a sloped floor instead of a step-over threshold.

Step 6. Focus on bedrooms.

• You may want to put a lock on your bedroom door and keep your personal and potentially dangerous items out of your loved one’s reach.
• Take the lock off your loved one’s door to be certain that no one is locked in or out.
• An audio monitor between the two rooms will let you hear if your loved one is out of bed or calling for help.