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

Posted by callmegram @callmegram, May 17 6:58am

I found this article about creating a dementia-friendly home. Some of the tips are very helpful. If you scroll down the page slightly, there is a video showcasing the different tips. Just below the video is a PDF you can print that contains the specific details. https://alzfdn.org/theapartment/

I wish I had seen this when my M-I-L and F-I-L were in their care home. I feel like some of the tips could have been applied in that situation. Now that my DH has Alzheimer's, I plan to utilize some of these tips in my own home. Some of them are cost-prohibitive for us, like the smart refrigerator, but many of them could be easy enough for us to put into place, such as reminiscent decorations and labeling drawers/cabinets.

If you have anything you have found to provide more safety, convenience, or joy for your loved ones, please share. Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

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ocdogmom | @ocdogmom | Jul 13 8:50pm

We had to move our bed downstairs because I was afraid of my husband falling on the stairs but he would still try to go up the stairs. So I bought a sturdy baby gate for the foot of the stairs. He has yet to figure out how to open the baby gate. He tried at first but now has given up and knows his bed is downstairs.

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kjc48 | @kjc48 | Jul 14 7:06am

@callmegram thank you for this share - this apartment guide is extremely helpful. Best, Karla

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 22 8:20pm
In reply to @cyndeep "I have MCI. My husband has Alzheimer's. When we need to put something in a "safe..." + (show)
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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.

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@cyndeep, such a good idea. I can imagine that being both the caregiver and someone living with MCI must have a unique set of challenges. How are you doing? (Loaded question, I know)

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growbaby | @growbaby | Jul 27 9:05pm
In reply to @centre "My husband would walk away from a turned-on faucet. I went to a local plumbing supply..." + (show)
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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.

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@centre I have had to change a regular faucet for one like yours.

I hope it helps prevent a flood in the house.

I find it heart breaking to witness the decline.
Thank you

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