Dementia - A Guide to Daily Living Aids

 Daily Living Aids & Dementia

According to WHO, (World Health Organisation), around 50 million people worldwide have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year.

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people and has a physical, psychological and social impact, not only on people with dementia, but also on their carers and families.”

For someone with dementia, it can be difficult to maintain skills, routines and confidence as the symptoms progress. Factors like embarrassment, anxiousness and depression can lead to isolation for them and their family.

Lack of appropriate stimulation, routine and purposeful activity can lead to social exclusion and loneliness.

Using specially designed equipment and making adaptations to the home can help someone with dementia carry on doing purposeful and hopefully stimulating routines for themselves so maintaining and enhancing their independence for longer.

It’s not just about being able to do the activity though, it’s about how it makes the person with dementia (and their loved ones) feel, whether at home or out and about and how it could improve their quality of life.

Bedroom Comfort for Dementia Patients

A dementia-friendly bedroom is one that's been designed to help reduce the barriers that make daily life for dementia sufferers a struggle.

Tips

1. A colour that contrasts with the surrounding walls and door frame will make the door more visible.
A colour that is familiar to the person, matching their front door at their previous or most well remembered place, may help the person to recognise their own room door

2. Keep flooring patterns to a minimum -People with perceptual difficulties can see patterns as being at different heights and as obstacles.

3. For mood- Greens, blues and lavenders are calming and restful and are good for bedrooms and for areas where relaxing activity is to take place

Eating & Drinking

Eating and drinking well is important for staying healthy and, whether out or at home with family and friends, it is a very socially inclusive activity. For someone with dementia, being able to continue to do this can greatly improve their mental well-being and that of their family.

Bathing & Showering

Washing is an important routine to help the person with dementia stay clean, fresh and to maintain confidence. It also reduces the risk of infections and skin complaints.

Bathing or showering is a very personal experience. What one person may enjoy; another may react negatively to. It helps to continue with existing washing routines that the person is familiar with i.e. bath or shower. By using various aids they can stay independent for longer.

 Handrails must be well fixed and comfortable to the touch. They not only give physical assistance but also provide a sense of how far the person has travelled. Handrails that contrast in colour with the walls are easily visible.

Living Hall

Avoid placing mirrors directly opposite the entrance to the room- It is important to assess each individual to decide whether they would like and benefit from a mirror. People with dementia can misinterpret the reflection in mirrors – for example, if the mirror is opposite them as they enter the room, they may think that somebody else is in their room.

Rounded edges on furniture and padded upholstery will minimise the risk of injury from collision

Contrasting colours of the bedcovers, chair seating and the carpet make it easier to recognise the edges and reduce the risk of falls.

Memory Test (Dementia) Assessment

Does your memory loss affect your daily activities?

Make it difficult to remember where you are?

Stop you from doing things you normally do?

 
To detect memory problems earlier through our memory tests. We will also provide solutions to ensure your needs are fulfilled and you are able to live independently.

Contact us to find out more

Customer enquiries:
Phone: +60122288472
Email: marketplace@ielder.asia

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