Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
B
BlueHeron Asked March 6, 2024

An observation: Don't install shiny fixtures in a senior's bedroom and bathroom.

My mother's independent-living apartment is full of shiny brass doorknobs, locks and hinges. She is getting ready to move to an assisted living apartment in a few weeks because she is entering mid-stage dementia and needs more help.
Her stay here would have been better if her brain hadn't misinterpreted the lamplight that reflected in the brass hardware. To her mind, the lights came on in the doorknobs in the evening and they were "signals" that the residents were being watched.
Make an note to install matte hardware in your homes, and especially if you operate a senior community. Flashy doorknobs can worry an older brain - it might play tricks on YOUR mind someday!


 


(We covered the hardware, and the regular housekeeper would leave it, but some of the temporary housekeepers would remove the covers.)

Grandma1954 Mar 7, 2024
I have a roll in shower in the second bathroom (a "wetroom" actually)
My Husband never had a problem with using his walker to get into the shower. All of a sudden one day he stopped and would not enter the shower.
I finally got him in and I got to thinking.....
The only thing that might be the "problem" was the drain. It was shiny silver.
I went to the BIG Box store and got a can of spray pain, the color of the tile.
Sprayed the drain cover.
The next day he had no problem entering the shower.
Go figure!
Dementia...🤷‍♂️
freqflyer Mar 7, 2024
That is so interesting, first time I have heard of that. Quick thinking on your part :)
cwillie Mar 7, 2024
I found out here on the forum that mirrors can be another problem, sometimes they don't recognize that old person who keeps looking at them.
Grandma1954 Mar 7, 2024
I don't recognize the old person that is in my mirror either 🤣

ADVERTISEMENT


freqflyer Mar 6, 2024
Another thing that might confuse someone with dementia is when a TV reflects back onto a window, depending on where someone is sitting.

I first noticed this when I switched seating sides with hubby, because of his hearing, and out of the side of my eye I thought I saw something outside. Turned out it was a reflection from the TV. Now I realize how that may have a person thinking something is outside, when it isn't.

This can happen also during the day if one has newer windows that have a sun guard.
Isthisrealyreal Mar 7, 2024
This is so important to know. Who would have ever thought about that without experiencing it.
CaringinVA Mar 6, 2024
Wow, it never would have occurred to me that the shiny fixtures could play with the brain in this way. Thanks Blue for this helpful insight❤️

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter