Tips on how to create a Dementia-Friendly Home: What would you add?

@callmegram I have one tip when labeling cabinets and drawers - LARGE black text on a WHITE background. Eye-catching contrast helps a lot. It doesn't need to be fancy - just white peel-off labels and a Sharpie. My Mom didn't have classic dementia, but post-stroke cognitive deficits, which mimicked dementia quite a bit.

It was helpful for her to see labels "Glasses, plates, cups, bowls" instead of "Dishes" and "Spoons, Forks, Knives" instead of "Silverware" etc. It seems if the mind is seeking a coffee cup, the generic label "dishes" may not be enough. Also, we removed seldom or never used items from a lot of drawers and closets to stop the ever-present urge to search.

So the "junk drawer" held one roll of transparent tape, one roll of masking tape, one pair of scissors, one (clear) container each of rubber bands and paper clips, one stapler...fewer choices seemed to result in less confusion.

We live in 2 vastly different houses (one 2-story with lots of nooks and crannies, one tiny home with little storage) - I have found this method helpful especially in the little one - with an ADD partner.

Bathroom toilet rails are helpful/necessary for a lot of people with cognitive impairment. And with so much incontinence, there should be someplace to easily store/access briefs, pads, wipes, and gloves.

I have MCI. My husband has Alzheimer's. When we need to put something in a "safe place" where we will find it again we put it in the box labled "safe place." I have a "safe place" box, my husband has one, the dog has one(for his stuff), and then there is a miscellaneous "safe place" box for things that aren't mine, my husband's or the dogs, but will be needed at a later date.

I have bought the following. And they are all helpful. I’ve replaced the front door lock with a double-sided lock that requires a key on the inside. I hide the key. For all other exterior doors, I’ve installed baby locks. Cameras in ceiling with intercom so I can watch and hear him and caregivers and can talk to them. Bathroom and shower bars. Bed alarm. Alarm button in bathroom. Baby cam. Cameras that sit on tables. Rollator and walker. Signs on bathroom mirror telling him what he needs to do in AM and PM (I have to walk him through each step). Jigsaw puzzles, kids Montessori games, word search books, bingo set, any kids’ game I think he can do, washable paint and paint book, coloring book, battery-operated dog,

My husband would walk away from a turned-on faucet. I went to a local plumbing supply and asked, they ordered and a plumber installed a kitchen faucet, made for houses with children, that turns itself off after two minutes.
It was a major brand. There are ones for bathroom faucets too.
I taped signs around too, but keep an eye out. As he declined, it took me a while to figure out my husband could read the words, but didn’t understand their meaning.

@jeanmanning Love the battery operated dog idea...Great

It is amazing how comforting a battery operated dog is to my husband. He smiles every time I bring it out. He was recently in a rehab center for 10 days and was very dejected until I brought him the dog. He then held it in his lap all day and was happier. Other residents asked to hold the dog. It such a simple benefit for dementia patients.

@centre Thank you! I had no idea this existed! Sometimes even I will walk away from a sink with the faucet turned on.