Dementia Proofing Your Kitchen and Bedroom

Dementia patients' vision changes with their decline. Extra lighting from the bedroom to the bathroom provides more safety. Physical stability declines. Rather than install grab bars by the toilet, consider stand-alone toilet bars that connect to the seat cover. Make sure the bed is high enough for easy entry and exit. To raise a bed, purchase bed risers from retailers like Amazon or Home Depot. otherwise, add solid concrete blocks or stacks of lumber under bed legs. Be sure everything is stable. Label dresser drawers with large letters or pictures. Declutter the closet allowing fewer choices of clothing.

In the kitchen, provide plain colored plates-- no decorations. Decorations confuse the patient when eyesight diminishes. Consider plates with raised sides or purchase a plate guard. Offer large no-slip handled utensils bent so the patient's wrist isn't required to bend. Suggest adult sippy cups with handles. Remove burner knobs from the cooktop.