Creating a Familiar and Comforting Space
Moving into a memory care community can be disorienting for someone with dementia. The goal of furnishing their new room is not just to provide necessities, but to surround them with items that evoke positive memories and create a sense of familiarity, security, and calm. By incorporating personal history and familiar comforts, you help build an anchor for their identity in this new chapter of their life.
Packing the Essentials: A Practical Checklist
Start with the basics to ensure your loved one's daily needs are met. Many facilities provide standard furniture, but personal items are what truly make a space feel like home.
Clothing and Personal Items
Comfort and ease of use are key for clothing. Select items that are easy to put on and take off, like garments with hook-and-loop fasteners instead of small buttons or zippers. Ensure the clothing is washable and durable.
- Comfortable, non-slip footwear: This helps prevent falls, a common concern for seniors.
- Adaptive clothing: Items with magnetic or Velcro closures can reduce frustration during dressing.
- Easy-to-wear everyday clothes: Soft t-shirts, sweatpants, and cardigans.
- Nightwear: Comfortable pajamas, a robe, and non-slip slippers.
- Favorite sweaters or blankets: A cherished, cozy item provides tactile comfort.
Important Documents
Create a file box with all necessary paperwork, including medical records, insurance information, and legal documents. Ensure a copy is given to the facility and that you keep an organized copy yourself.
Toiletries and Personal Care
While the facility provides essentials, bringing personal favorites can offer a sense of continuity.
- Favorite scented products: Lotion, perfume, or aftershave with a familiar scent can be a powerful sensory anchor to the past.
- Preferred toiletries: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
- Hair care items: Comb, brush, and any simple accessories.
- Aromatherapy diffusers (if permitted): Calming scents can help reduce anxiety.
Hobbies and Entertainment
Engaging in familiar hobbies can improve well-being and provide cognitive stimulation.
- Music player: An easy-to-use radio or speaker with a playlist of their favorite music can be very soothing.
- Large-print books or magazines: Or books with large pictures of scenery or their favorite hobbies.
- Simple puzzles and games: Jigsaw puzzles or card games that are not overly complicated.
- Hobby supplies: Items for knitting, painting, or other simple crafts.
Decorating for a Calming and Safe Environment
Thoughtful decoration can reduce agitation and improve orientation. Consider how lighting, color, and personal items work together to create a supportive atmosphere.
Photos and Mementos
Photos are one of the most effective tools for reminiscence therapy. Display them strategically for the best effect.
- Framed family photos: Place photos at eye level and use non-glare frames. Include pictures of family, friends, pets, and happy moments throughout their life.
- Digital photo frame: An easy way to display a large, rotating collection of family photos without clutter.
- Memory box: A collection of keepsakes like ticket stubs, small souvenirs, or familiar fabrics can be a great tool for one-on-one reminiscence.
- Personalized door sign: Adding a custom name sign to the door with a familiar photo can help with room identification.
Lighting and Color Strategy
Poor lighting can affect depth perception and mood. Natural light is best during the day, while warm, soft lighting is preferable in the evening.
- Avoid harsh overhead lights: Use table lamps or wall-mounted lights that offer softer, more residential lighting.
- Use contrasting colors: A light-colored plate on a dark placemat makes it easier to see. Similarly, a bedspread that contrasts with the floor color can help with spatial awareness.
- Steer clear of busy patterns: Loud wallpaper or upholstery patterns can be confusing and disorienting.
Safety Considerations
Safety is paramount when furnishing a memory care room. Minimize hazards to prevent falls and anxiety.
- Remove tripping hazards: Area rugs, throw rugs, and loose electrical cords should be removed.
- Secure furniture: Ensure all furniture is sturdy and stable. Arrange it to create clear, unobstructed pathways.
- Remove or cover mirrors: Reflections can be confusing and distressing for some individuals with dementia.
How to Choose Personal Items: A Comparative Guide
| Item Type | Why It Helps | Tips for Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable Bedding | A familiar quilt or blanket provides security and comfort, a sense of home. | Use a favorite from their old home; choose a pattern that is not too busy or distracting. |
| Photos | Triggers positive memories and encourages reminiscence; helps with room identification. | Place at eye-level; include pictures from different life stages; avoid formal, posed photos if informal ones spark more emotion. |
| Music Player | Music can soothe and calm, reducing agitation and anxiety. | Use a simple, easy-to-operate device pre-loaded with their favorite songs or genres. Avoid complex interfaces. |
| Tactile Items | Offers sensory comfort and can reduce restlessness through touch. | Consider a favorite blanket, a soft stuffed animal, or a fidget toy designed for people with dementia. |
| Personal Scents | Scent is a powerful memory trigger, connecting them to familiar feelings and people. | Bring a favorite lotion, perfume, or a sachet with a calming scent like lavender. |
What Not to Bring
Many memory care facilities will have a list of prohibited items for safety reasons. In general, it is wise to avoid bringing valuable items, as they could be lost or damaged. You should also avoid anything that could be a safety risk.
- Valuables: Expensive jewelry, family heirlooms, or important documents should be kept in a safe place outside the facility.
- Sharp objects: Scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, and other potentially dangerous items should be avoided or securely stored by staff.
- Hazardous items: Cleaning supplies, certain electrical appliances, and any potentially toxic items must be left out.
The Final Touches for a Successful Move
After the practical aspects are handled, remember that the emotional care is just as important. Involve your loved one in the packing process as much as their condition allows, giving them a sense of control and ownership over their belongings. Once settled, regularly visiting and engaging with them will reinforce the feeling of being at home. Remember that this is a space to feel safe and comfortable, and small, thoughtful touches can make a world of difference. For further guidance on designing dementia-friendly environments, consider exploring resources like the BrightFocus Foundation's Making Your Home Dementia Friendly guide.
