When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia, one of the first things that changes is how you see their home. The kettle they've used for thirty years becomes a burn risk. The bathroom mat that was fine last month is now a trip hazard. The back door that was always unlocked starts to worry you at 2am.
This guide is written for the adult child, partner, or carer who is trying to make a home safer without turning it into something that doesn't feel like home anymore. That balance matters. A person with dementia does better in familiar surroundings, so the goal is to reduce genuine risks while keeping the environment as recognisable and comfortable as possible.
You don't need to do everything at once. Focus on the hazards that could cause serious harm and work outward from there. In roughly the order most families tackle them:
Everything else, like reducing confusion, improving wayfinding, and making daily tasks easier, is important too, but address the safety-critical items first.
The bathroom is the highest-risk room in the house for someone with dementia. Wet surfaces, hard edges, hot water, and the need to transfer between standing and sitting all create hazards.
Non-slip surfaces: Put non-slip mats inside the shower recess and on the bathroom floor outside the shower. Look for mats with proper suction cups, not just textured rubber. Replace them when the suction cups start to lose grip.
Grab rails: Install grab rails beside the toilet, inside the shower, and near the bath if there is one. These need to be properly fixed into wall studs or solid masonry. Suction-cup grab rails are not reliable enough for someone who might put their full weight on them during a fall. A handyman or OT can advise on placement.
Shower seating: A shower chair or stool lets the person sit while washing, which reduces fatigue and fall risk. Height-adjustable models with rubber feet are standard. For someone who needs more support, a shower commode with arms and a backrest is worth considering. See our bathroom safety range for options.
Toilet safety: An over-toilet frame provides armrests for sitting down and standing up. A raised toilet seat can help if the person struggles with low seats. Some families find a combined unit (raised seat with built-in arms) is simplest.
Water temperature: Set the hot water system to a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius to prevent scalding. This is Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500 for aged care settings. If you can't adjust the system yourself, a plumber can fit a tempering valve for around $200 to $400.
Remove locks: Take the lock off the bathroom door, or reverse it so it can be opened from outside. Someone with dementia may lock themselves in and not remember how to unlock the door. Replace it with an occupied/vacant indicator lock if privacy is a concern.
Kitchens combine sharp objects, heat, gas, electricity, and water. As dementia progresses, the person's ability to use these safely declines, sometimes gradually and sometimes suddenly.
Stove safety: Stove fires are a leading cause of house fires in homes where someone has dementia. Options include stove knob covers (prevent accidental gas or element activation), an automatic stove shut-off device, or simply turning the stove off at the wall and switching to a microwave and electric kettle with auto-shutoff. This is one area where removing the risk entirely is often better than trying to manage it.
Sharp objects and cleaning products: Move knives, scissors, and other sharp items to a high cupboard or one with a childproof lock. Do the same with cleaning products, dishwasher tablets (they look like lollies), and any chemicals stored under the sink. Simple adhesive childproof latches cost a few dollars each and work well on most cabinet doors.
Simplify the kitchen: Remove appliances that aren't used regularly. A benchtop crowded with a toaster, blender, sandwich press, and coffee machine creates confusion. Keep out only what the person actually uses day to day.
Food safety: Check the fridge regularly for expired food. Someone with dementia may not notice that milk has gone off or that leftovers have been in there too long. Consider labelling containers with the date they were prepared.
Falls at night are extremely common because the person wakes disoriented, in the dark, and sometimes needing the toilet urgently.
Lighting: Install motion-sensor night lights along the path from the bedroom to the bathroom. Plug-in LED night lights that activate when they detect movement are inexpensive (around $15 to $30 each) and run off mains power so there are no batteries to go flat. Put one in the bedroom, one in the hallway, and one in the bathroom.
Bed height: If the bed is too high, the person may fall getting out. If it's too low, they'll struggle to stand up. The ideal height lets them sit on the edge with their feet flat on the floor and knees at roughly 90 degrees. Adjustable bed risers or a lower-profile bed frame can fix height issues. Bed rails are an option but should be used with caution. Poorly fitted bed rails can create entrapment gaps, and the person may try to climb over them. Get professional advice before fitting bed rails.
Clutter: Clear the floor between the bed and the door completely. No shoes, no rugs, no stacks of books. Every object on that path is a trip hazard at 3am.
Clothing and dressing: Lay out the next day's clothes in order the night before. This reduces morning confusion and helps maintain the routine of getting dressed. Simple closures (velcro instead of buttons, slip-on shoes instead of laces) make dressing easier and reduce frustration.
Remove trip hazards: Loose rugs are the worst offender. Either remove them entirely or fix them down with double-sided carpet tape. Tuck electrical cords against walls and secure them with cable clips. Move furniture so there are clear, wide walking paths through every room.
Chairs and seating: The person's usual chair should be firm, with armrests they can push up from. Low, soft couches are very difficult to get out of. A cushion riser (a firm wedge that sits on the chair seat) can increase seat height by 50mm to 100mm and make standing up much easier.
Mirrors and glass: Some people with dementia become distressed by their own reflection because they don't recognise themselves. If this is happening, cover or remove mirrors in living areas. Glass doors and full-length windows should have stickers or decals at eye level so the person can see the glass is there.
Television and remote controls: Simplify. If there are four remotes for the TV setup, consider a single universal remote with large buttons, or pre-set the TV to the person's preferred channels and tape over the buttons they don't need.
Wandering is one of the most frightening aspects of dementia for families. The person may try to leave the house at any hour, often believing they need to go somewhere specific (to work, to pick up the children, to go "home" even though they are home).
Door alarms: Simple magnetic door alarms that chime when an external door is opened cost around $20 to $50 and alert you immediately. Place them on front and back doors, and on any gate that leads to the street.
Door appearance: Some families find that disguising the front door helps. A curtain over the door, a stop sign on the inside, or painting the door the same colour as the surrounding wall can reduce the urge to open it. This works better in earlier stages.
Secure the yard: If the house has a yard, make sure fences and gates are secure and that gate latches are difficult to operate. A gate lock that requires a key or a specific action (like lifting and turning simultaneously) can be enough to prevent someone from wandering out.
GPS tracking: A GPS device worn as a watch or clipped to clothing can help you locate the person quickly if they do leave the house. Several Australian providers offer GPS trackers designed for people with dementia. This is a backup, not a substitute for physical safety measures, but it provides real peace of mind.
ID bracelet: A medical ID bracelet with the person's name, condition, and an emergency contact number is simple and can be critical if they become lost and are found by someone who doesn't know them.
These won't prevent a serious accident, but they make each day a bit less frustrating for the person and a bit less stressful for you.
Dementia is progressive. What works today may not be enough in six months. Plan for regular reviews of the home setup, ideally with an occupational therapist who specialises in aged care or dementia. A good rule of thumb: reassess after any fall, after any noticeable change in the person's abilities, and at least every six months regardless.
There will likely come a point where the home, even with modifications, can no longer provide the level of safety the person needs. That's a difficult conversation, and it's one that families handle in their own time. But having the home set up as safely as possible extends the period where the person can remain in a place they know and feel comfortable in, and that time is valuable.
Medical disclaimer: This guide provides general information about home safety for people living with dementia. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, occupational therapy assessment, or individual care planning. Dementia affects each person differently, and safety measures should be tailored to the individual's specific symptoms, stage of progression, and living situation. Consult the person's GP, an occupational therapist experienced in dementia care, or contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for advice specific to your circumstances.
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