When providing Alzheimer’s home care for seniors, keeping the home organized is essential for promoting independence, eliminating confusion, and ensuring safety. As the condition progresses, it becomes more difficult to navigate even the most familiar environments or remember to do daily tasks.
Implementing basic yet effective home organization tactics with the support of Alzheimer’s home care can help establish an environment that promotes well-being while reducing stress at the same time.
Simplify and Declutter
One of the first stages in organizing a home for seniors with Alzheimer’s is getting rid of clutter. Too many objects in a small space can lead to confusion and raise the likelihood of an accident. Ensuring that only necessary items are in the room is key, which means removing any extra furniture, decor, or knickknacks.
Reducing the number of items on counters, tables, and shelves is also beneficial. This lets seniors focus on the most important tasks, such as meals or medications, without distractions.
Create a Consistent and Clear Layout
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease benefit greatly from familiarity. It’s essential to create a consistent layout throughout the house so they know where to find things and can navigate easily. Additionally, placing labels or pictures on cabinets and drawers can assist seniors in finding items and understanding where they go when finished with them.
Organize Daily Essentials
A well-organized home also has a convenient location for a senior’s everyday needs. It’s important to designate a dedicated space for keys, medications, eyeglasses, and other frequently used things. Also, medication containers should be large and simple to open, with clear labels that include both text and pictures for easy identification.
If possible, storing objects in the same location every day so that they are easy to find is best. The goal is to make daily routines as smooth and predictable as possible, which can reduce stress for everyone involved.
Create a Memory Station
A bulletin board, corkboard, or whiteboard in a common area can serve as a designated memory station where family members can post essential reminders such as the day of the week, future appointments, and family activities. In addition, for seniors who struggle with time management, a visual calendar that displays daily activities and chores can help them feel more in control.
Focus on Safety
Safety should always be the main consideration in an Alzheimer’s-friendly household. With this in mind, family members will need to ensure that all spaces are well-lit, including hallways, staircases, and bathrooms.
To reduce the danger of falls, they may also consider installing grab bars in the shower or bathtub and using nonslip mats in wet areas. Motion lights are also a good way to ensure seniors can find their way to various rooms in the home at night.
Home organization is an effective Alzheimer’s home care strategy to help seniors preserve their independence while also maintaining their safety and well-being. Family members can work with Alzheimer’s home care experts to simplify the living space, create clear layouts, and more to eliminate confusion while also creating a sense of stability and comfort.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Glenside, PA, please contact the caring staff at Better Care Home Health Services today at (267) 766-5218
Better Care Home Health Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Philadelphia, Germantown, Glenside, Elkins Park, Bryn Mawr, Roxborough, Wyncote, Broomall, Upper Darby, Yeadon, Lansdowne, Narberth, Wynnewood, Penn Wynne, Fairmount, Ardmore, Chestnut Hill, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.sortedout.com/organizing-for-alzheimers/
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/10-ways-make-your-home-dementia-friendly
- https://ocfch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/OCFCH-Dementia-Friendly-Home.pdf
- https://artifcts.com/articles/post/decluttering-for-dementia
Better Care Home Health Services is a family-owned agency dedicated to providing excellent and comprehensive home health care to individuals and families of Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks counties. We are honored that God has blessed us with the opportunity to positively impact and change people’s lives. It is our mission to ensure that we provide the very best of care to our clients.
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