Label with family photos on soothing blue wallpaper
How can I help people with dementia? We need a lot of help, but how regarding changing the environment first? “Home environment can affect an individual’s quality of life.”
“There are a number of ways families can make the home of a person with dementia warmer,” he explains. You can decorate it with cutting-edge appliances, label what’s in your vanity drawer, or even put a family photo on it. Its purpose is to create a space where dementia patients can calm down.
Color is also very important. Blue calms people down. It is suitable for places to unwind, such as a bedroom or bathroom. Red, orange and purple are lively but provocative. Not suitable for calming someone down.
The AFA suggests keeping color contrasts in mind to help you orient your space. For example, tableware that contrasts with the color of a tablecloth makes it easier for a person with dementia to see the food on the plate.
Light is also important. Adequate lighting can help people with dementia see better and can also affect physical activity. For example, blue light stimulates the brain, raising energy levels.
High blue light during the day and low blue light at night can improve sleep and reduce agitation in people with dementia. It is best to avoid flashing lights as they can cause agitation.
AFA introduces dementia-friendly housing model on its website. The AFA said that providing visual cues might simplify the lives of people with dementia. It is also important to name or label the contents of the dresser drawer, such as socks or shirts. Also, family photos or vintage magazines that remind you of the past can help calm your mood and bring back memories.
When not living with a person with dementia, digital technology can play some role as a care partner. There are apps that allow you to program, change and maintain the temperature remotely. A fine dust alarm is also helpful. Interactive virtual assistant technology might also tell people with dementia what to do. Such words as “it is lunch time” and “time to take medicine” are helpful in helping people with dementia live.
