Caring for a parent with dementia at home can be a complex and emotional journey. With over 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia, many are supported by family or professional carers in their homes. Creating a dementia-friendly environment starts with structure. Following a structured plan can simplify the caregiving process and make it more manageable and less overwhelming to your loved one or client.
Whether you’re a carer, a family member, or someone adapting your own home, having a clear dementia care home checklist is essential.
In this helpful guide, you’ll discover a comprehensive dementia environment checklist that can help you create a space that fosters independence while reducing risks.
Here are some considerations to note.
Dementia Care Home Checklist
1. Signage and notes
People with dementia often struggle to navigate even familiar spaces. Clear signage is a must-have. To make your home easier to navigate, you should try:
- High-contrast labels on doors (e.g., “Bathroom,” “Kitchen”)
- Coloured floor markers or visual guides to highlight important areas.
- Pictures or symbols next to words to assist those who may struggle with reading.
If you need to leave notes or information for a client on a surface like a fridge or notice board, it’s important to make sure the note is placed on a background that contrasts against the colour of the note. For example, put a yellow note on a silver fridge so it stands out for the person. If handwritten, it’s definitely advised that you use block letters to ensure clear legibility.
These cues make it easier for your loved one to find their way around, reducing confusion and stress.
2. Lighting
Lighting is very important, as clear vision is needed to avoid accidents. You will need lights that are bright enough to guide the way but not so bright that they’re blinding. It’s really important that entrances and doors can be seen from the garden or street—this helps your loved one find their way back easily. And don’t forget about the staircases. They also need to be well-lit, so there’s no tripping over in the dark.
3. Flooring
Selecting dementia-friendly flooring is another important aspect of home safety. People with dementia can have trouble perceiving changes in surface levels or textures, so you should consider the following:
- Choose non-slip flooring to reduce falls.
- Avoid shiny or reflective surfaces, which may confuse the patient. If a smooth, hard floor is desired, choose a surface that isn’t reflective.
- Using contrasting colours between the floor and furniture to make objects more easily visible.
- Choose a plain or mottled patterned carpet, as bold patterns may cause distractions for people living with dementia.
- When changing from one room to the other, it’s important to ensure that floor finishes are flush with one another and that there are no unnecessary steps that could cause confusion due to perceptual problems and also pose a tripping hazard.
Choosing the right flooring makes a huge difference—it keeps your loved one safe and helps them move around with more confidence.
4. Bathroom
Worried about fall risks? The bathroom is one of the most accident-prone areas in the home. To make it safer, you should follow these tips:
- Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower.
- Use non-slip mats in the shower and around wet areas.
- Install a raised toilet seat to assist with mobility issues.
- If they have perception issues, help dementia patients identify the toilet easier by making the toilet seat a bold contrasting colour to the walls and floors of the bathroom. For example, if the bathroom is white and pale blue, having a bright red seat can help someone with perception issues locate the toilet faster.
These simple adjustments can help your loved one stay independent and avoid accidents.
5. Doors
Adding contrast to doors is a great way to make a space dementia-friendly. Some tips for making changes to doors include using a D-shaped door handle that contrasts with the door to ease access and using contrasting paint for the surrounding walls and architraves.
6. Seating
A person living with dementia should be able to identify seating easily. This may mean replacing fancy-shaped sofas with simple, comfortable, and recognisable shapes. This also applies to outdoor seating—a wooden bench may be a better option than the artistic, modern approach we tend to see these days.
With all this in mind, creating a safe and functional space for a person with dementia should be easy, whether you are organising the interior design of an aged care facility or assisting a family member with their home.
7. Declutter and Remove Hazards
A cluttered home can increase the risk of falls and add to feelings of disorientation. If you want to create a safer home environment:
- Remove unnecessary furniture from walkways.
- Secure loose rugs and electrical cords.
- Keep everyday items easily accessible to reduce the need for searching.
This decluttering process improves safety and helps create a calm, structured environment.
8. Incorporate Familiar and Comforting Elements
A dementia-friendly home should feel comforting and familiar. Surround your loved one with personal items that can help reduce anxiety and boost mood. As part of your dementia care home setup, try:
- Decorating rooms with personal photos and favourite artwork.
- Playing familiar music can help trigger positive memories.
- Choosing neutral, soft colours for the walls to avoid overstimulation.
These simple additions can help make the home feel more comfortable and recognisable, reducing stress for the person living with dementia.
Caring for a Parent with Dementia at Home
Adapting a home for someone with dementia involves thoughtful planning and attention to detail. By following this dementia home safety checklist, you can create a safe, structured space that promotes independence and comfort. From simple signages to choosing dementia-friendly flooring, each adjustment helps reduce risks and improve quality of life. If you’re unsure, consult with a specialist to help tailor the environment to your loved one’s needs.
For more support, professional guidance from Vital Home Health can ensure your home is tailored to your loved one’s specific needs. We offer expert advice on creating a dementia-friendly environment that promotes safety and well-being.
Remember, you can also use Dementia Australia’s home improvement tool to find more ways to create a dementia-friendly space.
Download our checklist today to start creating a safer, more comfortable environment for your loved one:
- VHHS-Resource_Dementia-Home-Checklist-1Download
- For a list of digital resources useful for dementia clients, check out this article.
- To learn more about how we can help people living with dementia, have a look here.
