Dementia patients thrive in familiar surroundings. Some individuals are comforted by familiar objects. Carefully structuring a memory care room may help residents suffering from dementia feel secure after considering their unique circumstances.
Dementia itself can be stressful, so sleeping well is essential if you’re living with the disease. In addition, it’s vital to be able to get up without falling, tripping, or becoming disoriented during the night.
Learn how to set up a comfortable, relaxing bedroom that will allow you to sleep soundly and peacefully. Here’s how memory care in Gulfport, MS assists dementia individuals in setting up a bedroom that is designed for their specific needs.
Using Bed Sensors for Prompt Detection
A person with dementia rarely wanders aimlessly. Instead, they often find themselves lost or disoriented while trying to get somewhere. Most likely, they will have trouble finding the bathroom or returning to their bedroom at night.
Using bed sensors, you can detect when someone leaves their bed by placing them under a pillow or mattress. The alarm will then either sound or a telecare system will send a message to a family member or carer to notify them that the patient has gotten up and left the room. A motion detector can also be installed at the bedside that will alert you if someone gets out of bed
Installation of Mattress Elevators
Even simple tasks can become more challenging as we age and become less mobile. Getting up into a seated position may be more difficult than it used to be. These types of issues must be dealt with promptly since falling out of bed can lead to serious injuries.
Here’s where the mattress elevator comes to the rescue. It helps push people into sitting positions. Bed support rails also allow them to lean on them while sitting down or getting up.
Set Up Night Lights or Lamps
You don’t want a person you’re caring for to be blinded by the dark while looking for a light switch in the middle of the night, because that can easily cause accidents and increase their chances of tripping.
Put in night lights that are activated by people walking by or opening doors. Tap-on bedside lamps are also useful for turning them on quickly without having to dig around for a switch.
Night Time Care
Dementia can cause incontinence, which is one of the most upsetting symptoms. It is best to use waterproof mattresses and duvet protectors to protect bedding. Further, you can set up an incontinence alarm that will alert sleeping individuals or nearby caretakers if it detects moisture.
Having a commode next to the bed will also make it less difficult for them to go to the bathroom.
Use Radio-controlled Talking Clocks
For people with dementia, it’s very common to lose track of time and wonder if it’s morning, evening, or the middle of the night.
Thus, getting a radio-controlled talking clock that simply says ‘Thursday morning’ or ‘Friday night’ without giving any other possibly confusing details would be a good idea.
