Living with dementia - a guide to a better home

Hack Care, Lien Foundation's new book, offers tips to turn homes into safe zones for persons with dementia to age in place

The Hack Care handbook offers ideas on, among other things, how to improvise furniture to allow persons with dementia to age in place and be surrounded by family. PHOTOS: KHOO GUO JIE
The Algot shelving system is updated with a seat and storage, so the person with dementia can be surrounded by familiar objects while the caregiver can gain access to necessities easily. PHOTOS: KHOO GUO JIE
A tip from the Hack Care handbook suggests turning Ikea's seat, the Poang Chair, into a sturdier version with extra armrests and a headrest. PHOTOS: KHOO GUO JIE
Making dressing and undressing easier with open wardrobes as well as a laundry basket nearby. A grab bar can offer support when needed. PHOTOS: KHOO GUO JIE
Keeping essentials such as drinking water together with snacks makes it easier for persons with dementia to help themselves when they are peckish. PHOTOS: KHOO GUO JIE
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Due to her advanced stage of dementia, Madam Joyce Liew can no longer form proper sentences.

But her husband, Dr Colin Chong, has learnt to interpret her utterances beyond "yes" and "no".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 19, 2020, with the headline Living with dementia - a guide to a better home. Subscribe