Every home has its own unique feel that’s created by its colors, furniture, and décor, and these things can have a profound effect on your mindset. The same holds true for people with Alzheimer’s. It’s extremely important that their living space is set up to promote their physical and mental well-being. Here are some tips to make your loved one’s home as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

Colors: What to Avoid and What to Use

Try to avoid using bright, energetic colors such as orange, red, and purple, since these can be overly stimulating to someone with Alzheimer’s. Stick with calming, softer colors such as pale yellow, blue, and brown. This isn’t to say you can’t accent the space with some more vibrant hues; they just shouldn’t be a big part of the color scheme.

In addition, color perception is often affected in those with Alzheimer’s. For example, in a bathroom where there are only light colors, they may have trouble seeing where the toilet is or how far they need to step to get into the bathtub. You can make things easier by adding contrasting colors throughout the home and making sure it is well-lit.

Stimulate Memory and Improve Mood with Wall Décor

Visual stimulation is very important for people with Alzheimer’s, and decorating the walls is one of the best ways to provide it. The ideal living space is one that’s filled with memories; photos and mementos from the past are great choices to hang on the walls. They will help the patient feel more connected with their past and emphasize that their home is indeed theirs–something that will greatly help those with dementia.

Avoiding Injuries with Furniture

Comfort is key when it comes to furniture. Dining room and kitchen chairs should be well padded. Because depth perception often decreases in Alzheimer’s patients, tables should be round instead of square or rectangular to help avoid painful bumps or injuries.

Try to avoid rearranging the furniture unless it’s absolutely necessary. Doing so can cause confusion and disorientation. If you do have to make some changes, make sure you repeatedly discuss why the furniture is different. Emphasize the positive! For example, if you move a piece of furniture your loved one was always bumping into, remark on how nice it must be to have it moved out of the way so that doesn’t happen anymore.

Why You Should Limit Mirrors

Other than in the bathroom, it’s best to avoid having mirrors in the home of an Alzheimer’s patient. Because of their impaired memory, there’s the possibility they won’t recognize themselves in the mirror, which could lead to their becoming confused or frightened. Aside from being a danger to the elderly individual, this could lead to increased wandering and sundowning–the most common causes of caregiver burnout.

In most cases, making these changes to your loved one’s home doesn’t take that much time or effort, but it can have a significant impact on their state of mind and level of comfort.

When an elderly person that you care about is no longer able to live independently, Select Home Care is here to help. We provide premier in-home care all across the country, including Pasadena, Westlake Village, and Las Vegas. Contact us today to learn more about our services. (877) 230-3160