Below you will find a few short pieces of advice and tips on how to create a safe, secure and pleasant indoor environment.
Do not forget that people with dementia, too, appreciate beauty and art, which can provide great inspiration both to the patient and to you as a family member.
Tips for a better indoor environment
- Light and lighting: Good lighting conditions in the home are important for recognising contrasts.
- Choosing colour schemes is not just something you do to make things look attractive. Contrasts allow the patient to interpret their environment more clearly, making their life easier.
- Dark surfaces may appear to be lower than light ones, so it is better to avoid dark rugs as they can be interpreted as holes.
- Splash colours and mottled surfaces can be interpreted as being full of insects.
- Doors and walls should be of different colours, or the doorframe should be painted in a separate colour to make it easier for the patient to find.
- The handle should be of a different colour to the door.
- Be careful when furnishing and by all means leave some old furniture in place.
- Choose a toilet seat in a colour that contrasts with the ceramic.
- Mark around the light switches using a contrasting colour, for example using coloured tape.