HOME is where the heart is, but when we become seriously ill there is a risk we could lose that safety and comfort.

In the case of dementia, a person’s home could soon become a strange and dangerous place to be.

However, all those diagnosed may not be ready to leave the world they have built for themselves behind and head into specialised care.

Social care and private providers are another option families look for support but there is always an emphasis on them to help their loved one feel comfortable.

Unfamiliar environments can be stressful and daunting for a person living with dementia, so it can be important to keep a loved one surrounded by their home comforts and in the same routine for as long as possible.

With this in mind, care providers Helping Hands Home Care has created a new guide on how to make your loved one’s home dementia-friendly so that family members can have peace of mind that their home is safe and secure. Here are 10 tips to make a home safe:

Living room

-Those living with dementia struggle to recognise their own surroundings due to confusion, memory loss and difficulty with vision. To create the ideal living space, refrain from using carpets and furnishings with strong patterns as these can disrupt eyesight and keep the room well lit so they are able to see well.

-Consider surrounding living spaces with photographs displaying fond memories to evoke a sense of comfort and belonging, to assure your loved one and make them feel at home.

Kitchen/Dining Room

-During mealtimes use bold plates and coloured crockery that contrasts with the food they are going to eat and always lay a table with a tablecloth to make it more recognisable. Colours can be difficult to recognise for those living with dementia.

-Pictorial memory is stronger than memory for words. Placing signs on cupboards and doors around the house will help those with dementia distinguish what they are looking at and what they are looking for.

-Label hot and cold taps so that your loved one does not get confused between the two.

-Create a memory wall or add images of loved ones and family to the fridge as a reminder of those that care.

Bathroom

-Dementia can affect vision, which makes it difficult to distinguish between objects of the same colour. If the floor is a light colour, this might explain why your loved one cannot differentiate between a toilet seat and a cream floor.

-Shiny bathroom floors can be confusing for those living with dementia as they can easily mistake it for water. Consider placing a taped down, non-slip bathmat to the floor so that they can decipher different parts of the room, and if a shiny floor is becoming troublesome, it may be best to remove it.

-Cover up mirrors as it can be confusing for those with dementia as they may not recognise their reflection.

Bedroom

-Leave interior room doors open so that they can see clearly where everything is in each room.

-Place a lamp at the side of the bed so it can be easily accessed.

-Consider installing an adjustable bed to ensure your loved one doesn’t fall out or struggle to get in.

Garden

-Gardening is a great activity for those with dementia as it keeps the mind active. Encourage your loved one to try potting plants and weed the garden, but remember to keep any gates closed so they are not tempted to wander.

According to Alzheimer’s Society, there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and that number is predicted to grow to over one million by 2025.

Figures released by Dementia United – a Greater Manchester partnership aimed at improving the life of people living with dementia in the region – showed that around 2,915 people aged 60 and over have been diagnosed with the condition.

Bolton Dementia Support has echoed the need to provide comfortable and safe surroundings.

The charity was set up in 1998 to provide support for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

The Bolton News and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust Donate £1 for Dementia campaign is raising funds to provide dementia friendly facilities at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Chief officer Barbara Clarke said: “You cannot care for someone with dementia without help. You must seek support and seek advice.

“At home avoid dark patches or patterns on rugs and floors. It was found that people with dementia would avoid walking on the black parts because they believe they are holes and feared falling through.

“Do not have a minimalist kitchen, try glass doors so they can see what is in each cupboard. Avoid things like marbled worksurfaces too.

“Patterned wallpaper can also cause problems as people can report seeing faces in the patterns and think people are looking at them.

“There can be issues with special awareness, you can find someone goes to put a cup of coffee on the tables and misses because they cannot gauge the distance. You want to let people do as much as they can for themselves but just be aware of them needing help at times. The aim is to help people enjoy their lives because even though it is not the life you expected you can still achieve so much.”