Monica's Top Tips for Designing a Space for Individuals Living with Dementia

Imagine entering a familiar room that suddenly feels different: the walls seem off-color, the furniture misplaced, and faces less familiar. This is the experience for many living with dementia. Their brain struggles to make sense of the world, not out of forgetfulness, but due to processing challenges.

Confusion can heighten emotions, causing frustration or anxiety when things seem unfamiliar, or calmness when encountering a comforting object like a family photo or favorite blanket.

Their environment can greatly affect their well-being, comfort, and feeling of independence.

Caregivers can establish a supportive and empowering environment for those living with dementia by concentrating on evidence-based design principles and practical strategies.

Tips for Creating a Safe Home Environment

1. Contrast: Age and a dementia diagnosis can frequently impact a person’s vision, making contrast crucial. Select furniture with colors that stand out against the walls and floors to help easily distinguish and identify pieces. Employ contrasting colors to set apart different areas and items. Even a basic step like painting the wall behind the toilet a contrasting color can make the toilet more noticeable and visible to them.

2. Eliminate Tripping Hazards: Get rid of loose rugs, clutter, and cords that might lead to trips and falls. Organize furniture to ensure clear and unobstructed paths. This minimizes the risk of tripping and makes it easier to move around the home—less is more! Avoid flooring with bold, high-contrast patterns that might be disorienting, or dark area rugs that could look like a hole. Consistent flooring or flooring with minimal contrast between rooms will help ensure stable footing.

Design Tips for Someone Living with Dementia

3. Install Safety Devices: Install grab bars in bathrooms, handrails on stairs, and non-slip mats in the shower. Ensure that grab bars have a contrasting colour (such as dark bars on a light coloured wall) for easy visibility. Consider using bed rails for extra safety during sleep.

4. Secure Dangerous Items: Store medications, cleaning agents, sharp tools, and any other potentially hazardous items in locked cabinets or drawers.

5. Lighting: Ensure the home is well-lit, particularly in hallways and on staircases. Provide sufficient lighting throughout to prevent shadows that might lead to confusion or fear. Circadian lighting, which imitates the natural changes of daylight, can greatly benefit those with dementia. Appropriate lighting can aid in regulating sleep-wake cycles, lessen confusion, and enhance overall well-being. Daytime exposure to natural light can help maintain the sleep-wake cycle, leading to better sleep at night and heightened alertness during the day.

The Impact of Home Surroundings

The home environment significantly impacts the comfort and safety of individuals living with dementia:

• Familiarity: Keeping familiar objects and furniture can provide comfort and reduce

disorientation. Avoid frequent rearrangements of furniture.

• Noise Levels: Ensure a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Excessive noise or elevated background sounds can be upsetting.

  
  

Minimal layout with contrasting colours; but be sure to include curated treasures

• Signage and Labels: Clear, straightforward labels on doors and drawers can often assist with navigation and reduce frustration. These labels should be large, legible, and feature both text and images.

• Color Schemes: Soft yet saturated, soothing colors can help alleviate anxiety and agitation. Steer clear of bold patterns that may be confusing or high-contrast speckled finishes that might appear as objects to be picked up.

  
  

• Outdoor Spaces: Having access to a safe and secure outdoor area is essential and beneficial for health. Fresh air and nature are known to have a soothing impact on individuals with dementia. Circular pathways offer a purposeful and uninterrupted walk.

• Biophilia design: Incorporating houseplants is an easy method to enhance the healthiness and comfort of your living space. Plants are recognized for their ability to improve indoor air quality, alleviate stress, and foster a sense of well-being.

• Comfort and Safety: Select furniture featuring rounded edges to reduce the risk of injury from falls. Steer clear of sharp corners and choose items that are stable and robust to avoid tipping over.

• Accessibility: Make sure essential items are easily accessible. For instance, bedside tables should have enough room for necessities such as glasses, a lamp, and water.

A few tweaks to the kitchen

• Furniture: Chairs and sofas should include armrests to assist with sitting and standing. Seats that are higher and have firm cushions are easier for independent use compared to lower seats. A power lift chair can also be an excellent option for supporting independence.

• Minimalism: Steer clear of clutter. Embracing a minimalist style with only necessary furniture can lessen confusion and distractions. Eliminate superfluous furniture that might pose as obstacles.

• Memory Aids: Integrate the treasures! This can trigger memories and offer a feeling of comfort and security. Displaying personal items and photographs on furniture can also act as memory aids. Proper use of colours and memorabilia can assist with way-finding.

Embracing a minimalist style with only necessary furniture can lessen confusion and distractions.

Although it can be challenging to empathize with someone who is living with dementia, recognizing that their experience is a blend of confusion, nostalgia, joy, and occasional frustration can enable us to connect with them more deeply and compassionately. Considering these environmental factors helps create a home environment that supports and empowers a person living with dementia. This holistic approach can greatly enhance their sense of safety, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Article by Monica De Wit, founder and CEO of HUGO & Company

Monica de Wit is the CEO of HUGO & Company. She is an interior designer who specializes in crafting beautiful, safe, and supportive living spaces for individuals with dementia. Acknowledging the difficulties families face when moving loved ones into care facilities, she established her company. This forward-thinking company is dedicated to making the transition process as smooth, easy, and positive as possible, offering families personalized support and expertise during this important life change. If you require design and transition assistance for a loved one, do not hesitate to reach out to Monica and her team.