From increasing independence to saving time, these devices offer solutions to common issues related to dementia, such as wandering and difficulty eating. Here are nine home products that can support you and your loved one.
We've seen firsthand the benefits of listening to music for our memory care residents at Bethesda Gardens Loveland. Wireless headphones can increase comfort and freedom for your loved one, letting them listen from various locations, such as their favorite recliner or outside on the patio.
Individuals experiencing hearing issues can also benefit from wireless headphones while watching television or movies. Besides volume control, many devices have background noise cancellation, which can help users understand dialog and follow the plot.
Research has shown gardening reduces stress, encourages physical activity and fosters a sense of purpose for individuals with dementia. Ergonomic tools with colorful handles are easy to spot and reduce hand strain, helping your loved one locate misplaced tools and manage tasks such as weeding, pruning and harvesting. Raised beds also reduce strain.
The growing season is short here in Loveland; however, indoor garden projects are accessible year-round. This can be as simple as a few pots of herbs on the kitchen windowsill or some nontoxic houseplants on a shelf. Grow lights make growing many types of flowers and vegetables possible indoors.
Hanging planters can be especially useful for indoor gardening. They let you save space, keep the floor clear of clutter and serve as wall decorations in your loved one's bedroom or memory care apartment.
It's common for individuals with memory issues to misplace items, such as remotes, phones and glucose monitors. In these situations, an item or key finder can be a great time-saver for you and your loved one.
These devices typically consist of a handful of trackers and a remote with a base. Each of the trackers is linked to a button on the remote. When pressed, these buttons cause the trackers to emit an audible beeping sound.
By attaching the trackers to frequently misplaced items, you'll be able to follow the sound to their current location. For further ease of use, you may wish to use sticky notes to identify each button's assigned item.
Large LCD clocks are good tools to help your loved one in the earlier stages of dementia keep track of time. These can be set near their bed and favorite chair, along with important written reminders, such as when dinner will be served.
Certain programmable models display the date and time. These sound an alarm and display a reminder, which can be a doctor's appointment or a daily reminder to go to bed or test blood sugar levels at a certain time.
Independence during mealtime can help build confidence for older adults with cognitive issues. When selecting dinnerware, choose brightly colored dishes that contrast with the table to enhance visibility.
It can also help to contrast the color of the plate with the food being served. This can help your loved one recognize what the food is and how much of it is still on their plate, which may encourage them to eat more.
If your loved one's grip has weakened, ergonomic utensils and nonspillable cups with large handles can increase comfort while eating. Other designs, such as raised-edge scoop plates and bowls with suction-cup bottoms, can provide stability and reduce spills.
Directional signs and labels can help your loved one navigate to the bathroom and locate the utensil drawer in the kitchen. Often, as dementia progresses, written signs become difficult for individuals to comprehend, making visual cues and pictures a more effective means of direction.
Safety signs may also be useful in protecting your loved one from wandering when used with other preventive measures. Placing a stop or danger sign on an exterior door or stairwell can remind them not to take that route.
Disguising doors can also deter wandering behavior. Stick-on decorations made to look like bookshelves and artwork can camouflage doors leading to potentially dangerous locations, such as a garage, basement or the outdoors.
To reinforce this safety measure, consider disguising the doorknob to blend in with the mural, making it harder to spot. In contrast, cover all the doorknobs leading to safe locations, such as bathrooms or your loved one's bedroom, with colorful cloth or knob grips to encourage their use.
Proper lighting can reduce confusion caused by shadows. Consider implementing lamps on automatic timers in your loved one's living spaces to ensure good visibility in the evening.
Motion-activated lights that come on when your loved one gets up at night can help safeguard them from falling. Many models simply plug into electrical outlets, making installation a cinch. Other options include toilet bowl lights and under-bed lighting that improves navigation when seniors get up for the bathroom.
Completing jigsaw puzzles and coloring projects can engage your loved one and help them relax. The activities are also a great way for the two of you to spend time quietly together without the necessity of talking when communication is difficult.
Consider using jumbo or triangular crayons to increase their comfort level and enjoyment. Likewise, dementia-friendly jigsaw puzzles feature large, easy-grip pieces ideal for individuals with reduced hand dexterity.
