Small design changes can significantly improve comfort for people living with dementia by making their environment safer, more familiar, and easier to navigate. Simple adjustments like using contrasting colors to highlight important objects and edges help individuals recognize and locate items more easily. For example, toilet seats, light switches, and door handles in colors that stand out against their backgrounds reduce confusion and support independence.
Improving lighting is another key change. Maximizing natural light during the day and using soft, warm lighting in the evening can help reduce disorientation and anxiety. Avoiding dark shadows and ensuring rooms are well-lit, including automatic night lights, can prevent falls and make movement safer.
Removing confusing patterns and surfaces also makes a big difference. Patterned carpets or shiny floors can be mistaken for uneven ground or holes, so replacing these with plain, matte surfaces helps reduce misperceptions. Keeping floors clear of clutter and removing rugs or mats that might cause trips further enhances safety.
Maintaining familiarity in the layout and furniture arrangement supports comfort by reducing the stress of change. Keeping beloved items in place or replicating familiar setups in new environments helps ease transitions.
Other practical changes include labeling doors and cupboards clearly, installing wide doors for mobility aids, and ensuring level access throughout the home. These small but thoughtful design tweaks collectively create a more supportive and calming environment for people with dementia, promoting dignity and independence.
