Strategies for Home Design
for People with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease
Compiled: November 2006
A major issue for those who care for individuals affected with Alzheimer’s Disease is protecting them from the environment in which they live. Alzheimer’s Disease affects not only memory, but also other areas such as personality and judgment. The cumulative effect makes day-to-day living difficult. As a result, the homes in which they live can become hazard zones. Fortunately, just a few simple adjustments can improve safety for those who have Alzheimer’s and also make their environments more soothing.
Items to consider: (from Brawley, E. Design Innovations for Aging and Alzheimer’s. (2006)).
- Flooring – are there safe walking surfaces?
- Use appropriate carpet: softer surface, non-distracting pattern but should be visually contrasted from walls and furniture.
- Minimize thresholds – there should be a low rise between carpet and floors.
- Lighting
- Eliminate glare
- Use higher light levels
- Diminish shadows by distributing light evenly
- Increase indirect lighting.
- Nightlights – use red light which is less distracting.
- High contrast color schemes are easier to see (i.e. between walls and hand rails, grab bars, door pulls).
- The position of the furniture should not be an obstacle; it should allow for easy wheelchair access.
- Consistency is key: avoid rearranging rooms.
- Furniture should be easy to get in and out of – use firm backs/seats, have arms for support.
- Exercise is important! Include temporary resting places if there are long areas to walk (both inside and outside).
- Make doors to bedroom, bathroom, etc. clearly visible and easy to identify.
- Install handrails: ADA handrails are NOT appropriate for seniors – use broader, flatter surface for seniors.
- Painting: make sure Light Reflective Value is 80 or above. (This should be noted on paint cans).
- Bathroom modifications:
- Install grab bars in shower and around toilet
- Install shower seats, transfer benches or shower chair
- Use non-slip floor surfaces or non-skid strips in bathtub.
- Handheld shower heads can be useful, especially for caretakers.
- Install a floor-to-ceiling safety pole.
- Widen doorways: it should be very easy to enter the bathroom.
- Install swing-clear hinges on doors.
- Toilet extenders can raise the height of the toilet when needed.
Iowa COMPASS can help with disability information and referral. COMPASS has information on available products and modifications. Funding Specialists are available to help find possible funding resources for products and modifications. In addition, there is a Used Equipment Referral Service where people are looking to sell items they no longer need. If these may be of interest to you, please call Iowa COMPASS at 800-779-2001.
Additional Assistive Technology Information:
- The Alzheimer’s Association has a “Safety at home” brochure for people looking to adapt the home to support a person with dementia.
- The Alzheimer’s Association has a safe return program.
- If you are working with a designer/contractor:
- Iowa COMPASS has information on contractors throughout Iowa who do accessibility work.
- Know that there is no specific training/certification for modifying for people with dementia.
- Ask if they are aware of National lighting Standards for senior lighting? Most designers/contractors are not knowledgeable. It is probably best to get a separate lighting designer.
Useful Contact Information:
- Iowa COMPASS
- www.iowacompass.org
- 800-779-2001
- National Alzheimer’s Association (can connect you with local chapters)
- www.alz.org
- 800-272-3900
- Other potentially helpful sites:
- http://www.homemods.org/
- http://www.carepathways.com/HMRx.cfm
- Elizabeth Brawley, of Design Concepts Unlimited.
- www.betsybrawley.com
- 415-332-8382
Please note: Iowa COMPASS provides this fact sheet for information purposes only.
