Checklist
Dementia-Proofing Your Home
A room-by-room checklist to create a safer, more navigable environment for loved ones living with memory challenges.
Why Dementia-Proofing Matters
For individuals living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, the home environment can quietly become overwhelming.
Shadows look like obstacles.
Mirrors create confusion.
Patterns appear like movement.
Everyday objects become unfamiliar.
Safety risks often emerge gradually — not suddenly.
Dementia-proofing is not about eliminating independence.
It is about designing the environment to reduce confusion, prevent injury, and create calm.
At Coastal Care Partners, we view dementia-proofing as part of an integrated care plan — not a one-time adjustment.
Living Room Checklist
The living room is often the most frequently used space — and one of the most overstimulating.
Reduce Visual Confusion
- ✔Remove clutter from coffee tables and floors
- ✔Avoid busy rugs and patterned carpets
- ✔Limit excess décor that may appear distracting
Improve Lighting
- ✔Ensure bright, even lighting
- ✔Add lamps to eliminate shadows
- ✔Use warm-toned bulbs to reduce glare
Secure Furniture
- ✔Stabilize loose chairs
- ✔Anchor bookshelves
- ✔Remove low furniture that can be tripped over
Consider Wandering Risk
- ✔Install door alarms if needed
- ✔Keep keys out of sight if safety is a concern
How Coastal Care Partners Helps:
Our caregivers assess how clients move through the room daily. Nurse Care Managers identify subtle navigation challenges that families often overlook.
Kitchen Safety Checklist
The kitchen can become high-risk as dementia progresses.
Reduce Hazard Access
- ✔Lock up cleaning supplies and sharp objects
- ✔Consider stove knob covers or automatic shut-off devices
- ✔Remove excess small appliances from counters
Simplify Storage
- ✔Keep frequently used items visible and accessible
- ✔Label cabinets clearly
- ✔Store dangerous items out of sight
Monitor Nutrition & Hydration
- ✔Keep healthy snacks within reach
- ✔Use clear containers
- ✔Watch for signs of forgotten meals
Integrated Approach:
Caregivers reinforce safe routines. Nurses monitor appetite trends. Families are updated if eating habits decline.
Bathroom Safety Checklist
Bathrooms are one of the highest fall-risk areas.
Fall Prevention
- ✔Install grab bars near toilet and shower
- ✔Use non-slip mats
- ✔Add shower chair if balance declines
Reduce Confusion
- ✔Remove complex toiletries
- ✔Label drawers if needed
- ✔Keep routine items in consistent locations
Water Temperature Safety
- ✔Set water heater to safe temperature
- ✔Consider anti-scald devices
Our Difference:
We integrate mobility assessment with environmental safety, ensuring the bathroom evolves as needs change.
Bedroom Safety Checklist
The bedroom should feel calming and predictable.
Improve Navigation
- ✔Keep clear pathways to bathroom
- ✔Add nightlights
- ✔Remove loose rugs
Simplify Layout
- ✔Avoid rearranging furniture frequently
- ✔Use familiar bedding and décor
- ✔Keep essential items visible
Monitor Sleep Changes
- ✔Track nighttime restlessness
- ✔Address wandering risk if present
Our caregivers document sleep patterns and communicate changes to Nurse Care Managers before they escalate.
Hallways & Stairs
Eliminate Trip Hazards
- ✔Remove cords
- ✔Secure handrails
- ✔Improve lighting
Visual Cues
- ✔Use contrasting colors to distinguish steps
- ✔Avoid patterned stair runners
General Home Strategies
- Maintain Routine
Predictability reduces anxiety.
- Use Visual Cues
Large clocks, calendars, and labels can reinforce orientation.
- Minimize Overstimulation
Too much noise, décor, or activity increases confusion.
- Encourage Safe Movement
Regular, supervised movement reduces agitation and improves stability.
When to Adjust the Environment
As dementia progresses, needs change.
Signs it may be time for further adjustment:
- Increased confusion in familiar spaces
- New wandering behaviors
- Repeated falls or near-falls
- Changes in depth perception
- Increased agitation
Dementia-proofing is not static. It evolves.
The Coastal Care Partners Approach
Many families attempt dementia-proofing alone.
What often gets missed:
- Pattern recognition over time
- Behavioral triggers
- Subtle mobility changes
- Cognitive decline progression
At Coastal Care Partners:
- ✔Caregivers observe daily navigation patterns
- ✔Nurse Care Managers interpret behavioral shifts
- ✔Environmental adjustments are recommended proactively
- ✔Safety plans evolve as cognitive changes progress
We do not simply respond after a fall or incident.
We design the environment to prevent one.
Final Thought
A home should feel safe, familiar, and steady — especially when memory begins to change.
Dementia-proofing is not about restriction.
It is about thoughtful design, guided by experience, structure, and leadership.
With the right support, the home can remain a place of comfort — not confusion.