Dementia Bathroom Issues
When it comes to your loved one living with dementia, living at home can give them their desired independence and also the means to continue enjoying a familiar environment. It’s important to ensure that your loved one is safe as well as providing them with mental stimulation to keep them active.
When it comes to the bathroom, there are many common issues that may arise from a family member living with dementia. Some of these include:
- Not being able to find the toilet when they need it which may cause anxiety
- The bathroom environment is too cluttered and confusing
- The lighting isn’t proficient enough for someone to clearly see the facilities
- Not being able to recognise the toilet
Tips to Help Make Your Bathroom Dementia-Friendly
At Age Care Bathrooms, we’ve put together some easy tips that can be implemented to help your loved one when it comes to using the bathroom at home:
- Clearly signpost the bathroom – Help the person understand where the bathroom is by putting an easy to recognise sign on the door, clearly visible with both words and pictures. Ensure this sign is bright and easy to see
- Declutter the bathroom – Having a clear bathroom can help a person have a clearer mind. By decluttering the bathroom this can help to create a less confusing environment
- Declutter the route to your bathroom – moving any awkward furniture out of the way can help create a clear and easy to navigate path in the home
- Ensure the bathroom is well lit – having a well-lit bathroom helps your loved one identify their surroundings. Motion sensors may be something to consider for night-time, or ensuring that the lights are kept on through the night
- Contrasting colours – having contrasting colours makes specific objects easier to see. If your bathroom is predominantly a neutral colour, have the toilet seat be a blue colour so they can identify it quickly
- Familiar and easy to use controls – Ensure that the toilet, bath and shower controls are easy to use and familiar in design
One of the main points we would stress is: try to identify potential blockers by putting yourself in their shoes. E.g. If your bathroom has mirrors, could this be a potential blocker with your loved one believing the toilet is already occupied and not using it?
Looking for a Dementia-Friendly Bathroom?
Here at Age Care Bathrooms we pride ourselves on understanding exactly what our customers want and need. When it comes to dementia and Alzheimer’s, we take into consideration the different aspects that help to make the bathroom experience comfortable and talk through all of this with you. If you’re interested in having our independent family-run business look to help you create a dementia friendly bathroom, get in contact with us now!
