Designing a home that is supportive of those living with dementia

A dementia-friendly home is a place where changes have been made that make it easier for someone with dementia to live in. Learn how to make your home more dementia-friendly and safe.

Bathroom and toilet

• Install slip-resistant mats or tiles.
• Use tiles with a matte finish to avoid glare.
• Use a water-safe chair in the shower or bath.
• If you can, install a walk-in shower base.
• Use bathroom-safe heat lamps to keep the room warm.
• Check that the toilet is a comfortable height and easy to use.
• Install a toilet seat that’s a different colour to its surroundings.
• Clearly label “hot” and “cold” on taps, and use accessible cross-head or lever taps.
• Store things you use every day, like your toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and deodorant, in one place so you can easily find them.
• Install handrails beside the bath, shower and toilet.
• Use a hand-held shower hose.
• Add a shower seat or bath seat.
• Check that the floor has a drain, in case the taps are left on.
• Remove or securely store any medications.
• Use night lights or motion-sensor lights.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them.

Bedroom

• Remove unnecessary items.
• Install a motion-sensor light that turns on if anyone gets up in the night.
• Use plain bed covers rather than patterns or stripes.
• Use sheets that are a different colour to the cover.
• If you can, use wall-mounted reading lights rather than lamps that can be knocked over.
• Remove electric blankets and hot water bottles, which can be dangerous.
• Check that the height of the bed makes it easy to get in and out.
• Add a chair to help with balance when dressing.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them.

Dementia-friendly equipment

The National Equipment Database (NED) has more information about technology and aids that can help people with dementia live at home safely and for longer.

Dining room

• Electricity and appliances

• Install large light switches in a different colour to the wall.
• Install power plugs in a different colour to the wall.
• Replace long electrical cords with coiled or retractable cords.
• Make sure that electrical connections are located away from water or heat.
• Use a safety iron, which turns itself off if it’s left on too long.
• Check your heaters for possible hazards. Replace bar heaters and other more-dangerous heaters with safer heating options, such as column heaters.
• Replace appliances with similar-looking models you have used before or recognise.
• Use smart home automation systems to pre-program heating and cooling.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them.

• Fixtures and furnishings
• Put clear labels on cupboards and drawers so you can quickly locate things.
• Avoid complex patterns on carpet, tiles, wallpaper and soft furnishings, which can be overwhelming.
• Install accessible D-shaped door handles in a different colour to the door.
• Paint architraves, doors and door frames in a different colour to the wall.
• Put up easy-to-read signs, symbols or photos that show what a room is for.
• Install carpets and tiles in different colours so they’re easy to identify.
• Make sure rooms are well lit.
• Arrange your furniture consistently and don’t move it around too often.
• Make sure there’s plenty of space and that it’s easy to move around.
• Check that chairs are a comfortable height and are easy to get into and out of.
• Keep regularly used items in your line of sight.
• Remove loose rugs and seal carpet edges to reduce the chance of tripping.

Kitchen

• Group items that are often used together, like cups, coffee, teabags and spoons.
• Use open shelving or clear labels on cupboard doors so things are easy to find.
• Add notes and reminders to a whiteboard or corkboard.
• Choose a refrigerator with large handles in a different colour.
• Use automatic cut-offs for kettles and other appliances.
• Check for flammable material, and either remove it or store it securely.
• Keep an easy-to-read list of emergency contact numbers and names in large print where it can always be found.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them.

Laundry

To make your laundry safe and easy to use for washing:

• Clearly label or colour-code the washing machine and dryer.
• Use open shelving or clear labels on cupboard doors so things are easy to find.
• Store the ironing board and clothes basket somewhere obvious.
• Clearly label “hot” and “cold” on taps, and use accessible cross-head or lever taps.
• Have an overflow drain or water level alarm on the sink.
• Remove or safely store poisons and dangerous substances.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them.

Living room

• Put chairs and couches near windows to get natural light.
• Use a chair with a raised or adjustable seat that’s easy to get in and out of.
• Put a stable table beside the chair for books, cups or tv remotes.
• Use a tray that can be safely positioned over a lap.
• Keep games, jigsaw puzzles and photograph albums nearby so there are always things to do.

Outdoors

• Check that paths and steps aren’t worn, uneven or slippery. This can make them a tripping hazard.
• Sweep paths regularly.
• Remove overhanging branches.
• Remove poisonous plants from the garden.
• Remove or securely store poisons and hazardous substances in sheds or garages

Safety devices

• Use assistive technologies, like personal alarms and timers, calendar clocks, touch lamps and walking sticks.
• Regularly check the battery of your smoke detector.
• Install electrical safety switches and gas leak detectors.
• Install shut-off devices, which turn off a stove’s power or gas if it’s left on.
• Use a thermostat to reduce the temperature of the water from the hot tap.
• Use flood detectors or plugs, which sound an alarm if you accidentally leave a tap running. They can also automatically open when the water reaches a certain point.
• Use a fall detector alarm.

If you can’t install features in different colours, use coloured tape to mark them. For more on safety devices, see Tools and aids to help at home | Dementia Australia at Dementia Australia home page.

Try the Dementia-Friendly Home: a video guide | Dementia Australia, an easy-to-use way to explore simple improvements to make your house more dementia-friendly.

The Dementia-Friendly Home interactive video gives you practical tips to make your home safer and more accessible for people living with dementia.