Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home: Five Simple Ideas

When a loved one develops Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, their body and mind may change in ways that make it difficult for them to navigate their home. Here are five simple ways you can help adapt a home that can make a big difference.

1) Brighten Up the Home

A person living with dementia may experience vision loss, which can cause confusion and frustration. Our vision also naturally worsens with age. Extra lighting helps with visibility and reduces fall risks.

You may also consider installing accessible light switches such as voice-activated lights, clapping lights, motion-activated lights, or hallway lights around the home.

2) Clear the Floors

Another dangerous risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias is the loss of balance. Keeping walkways clear, placing non-slip mats, and installing grab bars can help reduce the risk of falling for older adults.

Additionally, consider replacing carpets, rugs, and curtains with confusing or disorienting patterns. These can cause eye strain for a loved one with dementia, putting them at risk for headaches and falls. Similarly, it would be best to remove shiny and reflective surfaces that may appear wet to a person with low visibility.

3) Use Pictures

When words become harder to recall, photos can help your loved one locate items and communicate their needs and wants. For example, pictures on cabinets can help your loved one identify what’s inside.

Having photos of friends, family, and loved ones around the house can also bring a sense of comfort for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, and encourage them to reach out to their network.

4) Use Contrasting Colors

For people with low visibility, objects with similar colors may appear to blur together. Using items with contrasting colors, such as a bright plate on a dark tablecloth, can empower your loved one to see and eat with confidence.

For larger items such as sinks and mirrors, a good trick is to use colorful post-it notes to mark where the object begins.

5) Create a Relaxing Outdoor Space

A safe garden, patio, or even a balcony can be a peaceful retreat for both you and your loved one. Beyond getting fresh air and sunlight, the outdoor space could also be used to raise plants or do some light exercise. Just be sure the area is safe and secure, with a gate to prevent wandering.

Want to learn more about support for people with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and their caregivers? The Alzheimer’s Association offers plenty of helpful info and tips.

Disclaimer: Boston Senior Home Care is not affiliated with any of the products, applications, or companies mentioned in this article and does not receive any financial compensation or commission from the links provided. These recommendations are shared for informational purposes only.

With each day comes new technology that can help caregivers manage the many responsibilities of caring for a loved one. But with so many options, it can be hard to cut through the noise and find the best tech tools to support your caregiving journey. To help you out, here are five apps and tech tools available for caregivers.

1) Mindfulness Apps

Caregiving can be stressful, so it’s important to pause and recharge. Mindfulness apps are a simple way to remind yourself to take a break, breathe, and stay present. Many offer guided meditations, breathing exercises, and gentle stretches to help ease stress and boost emotional balance.

One free option is Mindfulness Coach, developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It includes audio sessions, a learning library, and helpful tools to build a mindfulness routine at your own pace.

2) Medication Scheduling Apps

On busy days, it’s easy to lose track of when to take or give medications. While a simple alarm can help, sometimes a more detailed system is needed to stay organized.

Apps like Medisafe offer a clear overview of your medication schedule, send reminders when it’s time to take or refill a prescription, and help you plan ahead. It’s a great way to take the guesswork out of managing multiple medications for both you and your loved one.

3) Meditation and Exercise Apps

Meditation and light exercise are great ways to boost your mood and stay healthy. MindMate is an all-on-one app that includes mental exercises, workout routines, and healthy recipes to help users be mindful of their physical health. Having all of your important health metrics centralized into one app makes it easy to remember and track, which can also help people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias be more consistent with daily exercise and wellness checks.

4) Home Cameras

Caregivers who provide round-the-clock support may worry about stepping away, even for a quick errand. But constant stress can lead to burnout. Home monitoring cameras like Ring or Blink can offer peace of mind by letting you check in on your loved one remotely, anytime.

Placing cameras near key areas like the bedroom or kitchen can help you notice important routines, like how often a loved one is eating or moving around. For those at risk of wandering, an outdoor camera can also be a helpful tool, offering crucial clues in case of an emergency.

5) Online Meeting Technology

In other cases, caregivers may find it difficult to make time for appointments at far-away doctor’s offices, or to go to in-person events. Online meeting technology such as Zoom or Google Meet allow caregivers to participate in these events from the comfort and convenience of their own home, cutting down on travel time and stress while allowing for more regular check-ins.

An example of a helpful virtual resource is Boston Senior Home Care’s online caregiver support groups. At these support groups, caregivers can connect with a community of other caregivers, share valuable information and practical solutions, and learn healthy skills to reduce caregiver stress. To learn more or sign up, email [email protected].

Hoarding can show up in lots of different ways. Sometimes it starts small, like holding onto things that seem useful “just in case.” Over time, those items can build up and create safety issues, especially for older adults.

To learn more, we spoke with Toshiba Bodden, Tenant Resource Counselor at Boston Senior Home Care. Through her work with older adults in supportive housing, she’s seen many kinds of hoarding and how to gently help someone start to declutter.

What Can Cause Hoarding?

Hoarding doesn’t have a single cause—and it certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. For many people, it’s a combination of life changes, practical challenges, and emotional attachments that cause an unsafe amount of items to pile up in the home.

“A person may start with a collection of valuables. But over time, the collection can grow to an overwhelming size. When it becomes too large to manage safely, it can turn into a hoarding situation,” Toshiba explained. In her experience, people with hoarding tendencies often want to declutter, but are unsure of how to start.

According to Toshiba, here are a few common situations that can lead to clutter piling up:

Downsizing to a smaller space and feeling unsure about what to keep or give away
Joint pain or other physical limitations that make it tough to sort, lift, or organize
Forgetting what’s been stored, especially when things are tucked away in hard-to-reach spots
Mindfulness of throwing things away and a preference for passing items on to loved ones

In many cases, the items being kept hold personal meaning, such as old work tools, hobby supplies, childhood keepsakes, or gifts from loved ones. What looks like clutter might actually be a meaningful collection of memories, so it’s important to approach the situation with respect.

Why Hoarding Can Be a Problem

While it’s natural to hang on to things that feel important, too many items in the wrong places can start to cause real safety concerns.

Here are a few home safety concerns that Toshiba has encountered:

Tripping hazards such as boxes, bags, or clothes on the floor
Clutter blocking pathways and exits, which can be dangerous in emergencies
Stacks of newspapers, bins, or books that could fall over and cause injury
Piles of paper, food wrappers, or damp laundry that could attract insects, rodents, or mold

Keeping a home clean doesn’t just make it more comfortable for the resident – it also helps keep the neighborhood and community safe and pest-free.

How You Can Help

When it comes to supporting someone with clutter or hoarding tendencies, patience and empathy go a long way. Toshiba recommends starting with a simple, judgment-free conversation. Ask what the items mean, where they came from, and why they’re being kept. Often, there’s a deep story behind each item.

Sometimes, what a person needs most is a little support and encouragement. That might look like:

Having someone who can help sort through things and make decisions without pressure
Reassuring them that their items will be appreciated, especially if they hope to pass them along to someone else
Coordinating donation drop-offs or finding an organization that offers free pick-up

Patience, understanding, and teamwork can make a big difference for a person with hoarding tendencies, and help turn a tough task into a meaningful experience.

To explore resources in Massachusetts, visit MassHousing’s Hoarding Resources page.

We’ve all been there. Over time, our medicine cabinets can quietly turn into a jumble of expired pills, half-used ointments, and mini hotel shampoos we thought we’d use someday. A quick clean-out can make a big difference in helping you find what you need when you need it, and clearing space for the essentials you actually use.

1) Check Expiration Dates

Annual spring cleaning is a good time to check all of the expiration dates for the medicines and other items in your cabinet, and get rid of expired items. However, throwing medicines into the garbage can pose a risk to children, pets, and the environment.

Instead, check your local pharmacy or police department for a medication take-back program. Using these services ensures that your medication and personal information are disposed of safely and securely.

Learn more about prescription drug take-back programs in Massachusetts.

2) Throw Away Items You Don’t Use

If you haven’t used that tiny sample cream or half-empty bottle in the last year, it might be time to say goodbye. A little extra space goes a long way.

3) Restock the Essentials

Once you’ve cleaned out expired items from your cabinet, be sure to replace commonly-used household staples. It’s good practice to stock up on everyday essentials such as bandages, allergy meds, pain relievers, and cold medicine.

4) Simplify with Support

Juggling multiple prescriptions? Talk with your doctor about simplifying your routine or switching to different medicines. Many pharmacies offer refill syncing or delivery services that can cut down on chaos.

5) Organize by Necessity

Keep frequently-used items up front, and less-used items in the back. UV light-blocking containers can help protect certain medications from losing their strength over time.

Spring is the season of renewal, and the perfect time to refresh your space. Whether you’re tackling a full deep-clean or just sprucing things up, we’ve put together some simple spring-cleaning ideas to help you transition into the new season with a fresh start!

1) Dust Shelves, Appliances, Fans, and Lights

Start from the top—literally! Begin by dusting shelves, fans, light fixtures, and anything else high up. Dust will fall to the floor, which makes it easier to clean up later. A long-handled duster can make this job safer and easier. You can find them at Target, Amazon, or at your local supermarket or Dollar store.

2) Vacuum and Mop Floors

Once the dust has settled, it’s time to tackle the floors. Vacuum rugs and mop floors to give your space a fresh feel. If the work begins to feel strenuous, take breaks or adjust the handle height on your vacuum to keep things comfortable.

3) Clean Fans and Filters

For families with pollen sensitivities, devices such as air purifiers, ventilation systems, and AC filters can be a springtime staple. Before you turn on the AC or air purifier, give the filters a quick clean or swap them out. Stored fans and filters can collect dust and other surprises you don’t want in your air!

4) Clear Out Laundry Traps

Just like dryers, laundry machines have traps, too. These can get clogged with gunk over time, so giving them a thorough cleaning every few months can help keep things running smoothly and smelling fresh.

6) Check Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

Spring cleaning is a good reminder to check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and life alert systems. Swapping out batteries every six months keeps everything in tip-top shape. It’s a good opportunity to check your fire extinguisher too!

7) Clean Out the Fridge

It’s easy for food to hide (and expire) in the back of the fridge. Toss anything past its prime and wipe up spills while you’re at it. If your fridge has a foul smell, a half cup of baking soda or coffee grinds inside the fridge door will absorb odors and leave things smelling fresh.

8) Declutter Your Closet

As you swap winter coats for lighter layers, take a moment to sort through what you actually wear. Consider donating gently used items to a local clothing bin or scheduling a pick-up through Boston’s Textile Recycling Program.

Cleaning can be surprisingly physical work, so be kind to your body as you go. Remember to:

Stretch beforehand
Pace yourself
Stay hydrated
Wear closed-toed shoes, and
Be mindful of how you lift and move—your body will thank you for it!

A man holding his dog, standing next to a woman. — *Vincent “Vinny” Raneiri, his dog Gemma, and Marlene Choi*

For some older adults living alone, pets are an important connection and source of happiness. In January, Boston Senior Home Care was pleased to sit down with one such older adult and hear about how having a dog has changed his life.

Vincent “Vinny” Raneiri has lived in Boston’s North End since childhood. As he aged, he moved into Ausonia Apartments, a public housing community for low income older adults and people with disabilities in the North End. For 12 of his 30 years in Ausonia, Vinny was accompanied by his rescue dog, Boot.

When asked why he enjoyed having a pet, Vinny responded, “I feel more comfortable with company. It makes me feel good. It gets your mind off your sickness, and keeps you busy.”

However, when Boot fell ill, Vinny was devastated to learn that he would have to be put down.

“I was depressed and everything. It’s terrible to be alone when you’re sick. I knew that I had to find another dog to feel better.”

After a period of mourning, Vinny felt that it was finally time to find a new companion dog. However, the search wouldn’t be easy. For two months, Vinny visited many animal shelters around Massachusetts, only to be met with challenges at every turn.

“They felt that I was too old to have a dog. One of them wanted me to have a dog that was 10 years old with health problems. Another place said that I needed to have a dog to get a dog,” he confided. After visiting countless shelters, Vinny was beginning to feel hopeless.

Luckily, Marlene Choi from Boston Senior Home Care noticed his trouble. As the Tenant Resource Counselor for Ausonia, Marlene was in contact with The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), an organization that frequently visited Supportive Housing apartment buildings to host Pet Wellness Events. At these walk-in clinics, residents are able to get free nail trimming and grooming services, as well as pet food and supplies, at no charge.

The next time the ARL came to visit Ausonia, Marlene was quick to introduce Vinny to Anna Yorks, the ARL’s Community Programs Coordinator and experienced animal specialist. Vinny was invited to visit the ARL’s animal shelter in Boston’s South End.

The minute Vinny walked into the room, one young puppy ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

“I let her come to me. She had two sisters, but I knew Gemma was the one,” he recalled fondly.

The adoption process at ARL was remarkably quick. All of the animals at the shelter are vaccinated and fixed ahead of time, so Vinny was able to walk out with Gemma on the same day he met her.

“All other places, they wanted a background check, where I live, this and that. With the ARL, you just walk in and they treat you like a normal human being. The whole team is very nice.”

Since adopting Gemma, the residents at Ausonia have noticed how Vinny has been happier.

“I’m really glad that he was able to adopt. After he adopted Gemma, you could see a whole change in his face. He’s so happy now. It’s amazing how a pet can completely change someone’s emotions,” Marlene shared.

Vinny will continue to visit the ARL when they come to Ausonia for Pet Wellness Events. He recommends them to any older adult looking to adopt a pet.

“At The Animal Rescue League of Boston, we firmly believe that pets are family,” Anna declared. “As the Community Programs Coordinator, I find joy in helping keep pets and their families together by partnering with communities and organizations, including Boston Senior Home Care. When I met Vinny at our most recent Pet Wellness Event, I was confident he could find his next four-legged family member through one of our shelters. I received the wonderful news about Vinny adopting Gemma in December and am so excited to meet her at our next Pet Wellness Event.”

Companionship is an important part of mental and emotional health for people of all ages. By partnering with The Animal Rescue League of Boston, Boston Senior Home Care is happy to help Supportive Housing residents like Vinny care for pets and age with loving companions.

An older adult couple celebrating Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to appreciate and share time with friends and family. If you’re a caregiver looking for ideas to enjoy a fun and memorable Valentine’s Day with your loved ones, read on for six great Valentine’s Day activities.

1) Host a Small Gathering

A small party or gathering could be a great way to bring all of your loved ones together to commemorate the holiday. Invite your friends or family, and celebrate with a movie, brunch, or your favorite group activity.

2) Go out with your loved one

For a more low-key and intimate Valentine’s Day, consider taking your loved one out to your favorite restaurant. With just the two of you, you can better take a pause to reflect on the love that drives you to be a caregiver every day.

3) Take a self-care day

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect inwards and appreciate the hard work you do as a caregiver. If you’ve been feeling stressed recently, consider taking a self-care day to enjoy what makes you relaxed. Some examples of this could be sleeping in, going for a long walk, or booking a spa trip.

4) Enjoy some arts and crafts

Some Valentine’s arts and crafts with your loved one could be a wonderful way to spend the holiday. Consider a peaceful afternoon making some colorful paper festoons to decorate your house, baking and decorating some cookies, or enjoy some relaxing origami together.

5) Send Valentine grams

Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them this Valentine’s Day by sending a Valentine gram. Whether a quick text message, card, or quick visit, letting your friends and family know you love and appreciate them can be a deeply touching gesture.

6) Discover local Boston Valentine’s Day activities

Looking for a unique and memorable Valentine’s Day? There are plenty of fun activities around Boston in celebration of the day of love.

Here’s a small list of activities happening around the city:

Tuesday, February 11th: Amore Concert – Love Songs Through the Ages at the North End Music & Performing Arts Center
Friday, February 14th: Paint & Sip: Paint Your Partner! at the Boston Public Market
Saturday, February 15th: Cupid & Comedy at the Marriott Quincy

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to reflect inwards and love and appreciate the hard work you do as a caregiver. Whether you choose to spend the day peacefully recovering or cheerfully celebrating with loved ones, we wish you a happy and heartful Valentine’s Day!

Black family gathered around a grandmother reading to them.

Black older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers face unique challenges in finding high-quality, culturally-competent supports. In honor of Black History Month, we explore resources to help Black families age in place and celebrate their heritage.

Resources for Black Caregivers and Older Adults

Did you know that…

More than one in five Black caregivers pay for care-related expenses,
One in three African American and Black caregivers report being more isolated and strained due to caregiving,
And that one in four Black caregivers report that they have no family, friends, or family to help them with caregiving duties?

Together, these paint a distressing picture of how urgently Black and African American caregivers need support. From navigating the healthcare industry to finding qualified and culturally-competent services, Black caregivers face unique challenges that can worsen over time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help African American and Black caregivers. Let’s explore some programs and organizations that could provide much-needed support:

1) Caregiving While Black (CWB) Course

Co-produced by Black caregivers, persons living with dementia, and healthcare professionals from Emory University, CWB is an online education course tailored for Black and African American caregivers of a person living with dementia.

The CWB course addresses the disparities that Black and African American families face when accessing healthcare and caregiving resources. The course is built around finding solutions and answers to three main themes:

To learn more and sign up for the CWB course, visit their website here.

2) Programs by the Roxbury Presbyterian Church

For Boston locals, the events and opportunities from the Roxbury Presbyterian Church can help you work through difficult topics.

Some of these programs include:

Men’s trauma recovery
Racism and healing
Community trauma healing
Loss, grief, and hope through words, poetry, and song
A support group for mothers who lost children

For Black and African American Roxbury residents, these programs are a unique opportunity to connect with others who have experienced challenges in life.

The mission of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church is to create and implement educational and economic development programs for the Roxbury community. Programs are secular and open to all regardless of religious affiliation.

For a full list of programming, please visit the RPC’s website here.

3) Caregiver Solutions Program

According to Generations, Black caregivers felt that their race and ethnicity contributed to limited access to education and resources for healthcare and caregivers support.

That’s why Boston Senior Home Care’s Caregiver Solutions program is here to provide equitable and individualized resources for Black caregivers. Our skilled caregiver advisors are here to listen to your personal story and connect you to trustworthy supports for your needs.

The Caregiver Solutions Program can provide referrals and access to:

Financial assistance
Adult Day Health programs
Mental health counseling services
Guardianship and estate planning specialists
In-home care services
Support groups
Technology and security monitoring services

Through on-demand language line technology, our information and referral specialists can assist caregivers and families speaking languages such as Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and more. To connect with an expert and learn about culturally-aware caregiver resources, call us at 617-292-6211.

4) The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA)

If you’re looking for resources for Black older adults outside of Massachusetts, the NCBA is a go-to point of contact. The NCBA is the leading national organization on issues impacting African American and low-income minority older adults.

The NCBA provides culturally-aware programs and services to help Black older adults gain employment, access healthcare services, and find affordable housing. To view a full list of their resources and programs, visit their website here.

5) Caribbean Foundation of Boston

For Bostonians of Afro-Caribbean heritage, the Caribbean Foundation of Boston provides culturally-aware services to the older adults and physically challenged people of Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury.

The Caribbean Foundation of Boston provides the following services:

Home health aides
Friendly visitor program
Urban community homemaking

The goal of the Caribbean Foundation of Boston is to promote a lifestyle of independence and supportive care so that people can remain at home. To learn more, please contact the Caribbean Foundation of Boston at 617-445-1228.

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Boston

Beyond support for everyday caregiving and aging needs, let’s explore exciting ways you and your loved ones can celebrate Black History Month in Boston this year.

1) Black Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

On February 22nd, the City of Boston is hosting a free luncheon to honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Veterans. The event will be held at Boston City Hall from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. To learn more and RSVP, contact the City of Boston Veterans Services Department at [email protected], or call 617-241-8387.

2) Museum of African American History

As the birthplace of Boston’s Abolitionist Movement, the Museum of African American History has several exciting exhibits and activities planned throughout February. Visit their website to view upcoming events featuring the legacies of heroes such as Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and William Cooper Nell.

3) Age Strong’s Black Heritage Celebration

The Boston Age Strong Commission is hosting their annual Black Heritage Celebration on Friday, February 28th. This luncheon event is a wonderful way to gather and celebrate Black community leaders.

To RSVP or learn more, please contact Nuria Silva at 617-635-3979 or email [email protected]. Transportation may be arranged for parties of more than 10 people.

Boston Senior Home Care and the Caregiver Solutions program remain dedicated to supporting caregivers, older adults, and people with disabilities of all races and ethnic backgrounds. We’re here to be a resource for African American families to help them age with health and pride.

To speak with a qualified information and referral specialist about finding culturally-aware support for you and your loved one, contact us at 617-292-6211.

ARL partnership with Boston Senior Home Care expands to seven locations

This article was originally published on the Animal Rescue Leagues’ website, located here.

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Wellness Waggin’ made a stop at a Dorchester apartment development to provide more than a dozen pet owners with low-cost pet wellness services.

The newest stop expands ARL’s growing list of senior housing developments the organization visits regularly through an ongoing partnership with Boston Senior Home Care.

For many pet owners in Boston, accessibility to services is a major barrier to maintaining overall pet health, however, ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ is just one program that bring services directly to where they’re needed most, to help pet overcome these types of barriers.

Parking outside the Franklin Field Elderly Community Center, more than a dozen pet owners living in the Franklin Field apartments were able to easily take advantage of the low-cost, high-quality services the Wellness Waggin’ provides.

*The Wellness Waggin’ parked outside of Franklin Field Apartments.*

For 10 dollars, pets receive a brief veterinary exam, rabies and distemper vaccines, flea treatment and microchip, if needed.

These services would cost hundreds in a traditional veterinary clinic setting.

This newest stop for the Wellness Waggin’ is part of an ongoing partnership with Boston Senior Home Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families throughout Greater Boston, with social services and resources to live safely and independently.

ARL began its partnership with the organization in 2018, and now has seven sites throughout neighborhoods in Boston to provide senior pet owners with basic services and pet supplies.

These wellness events offer a wonderful opportunity for ARL to connect with senior pet owners in Boston, and to provide services that are accessible just steps from their door.

Photos from the Event

Boston Senior Home Care Celebrates 50 Years with Gala

AG Campbell and Karen Chen were presented awards and Patricia Lynch was remembered for her lasting legacy.

BOSTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – State leaders and community advocates gathered as Boston Senior Home Care celebrated 50 years of service to older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston on October 17, 2024.

The gala celebrated BSHC’s efforts to expand access to home and community-based services and underscored the organization’s vision to deepen its partnerships with community organizations and continue to champion policies that ensure everyone has the support they need to live with dignity and independence. “This year’s gala is a particularly special milestone, and we are thrilled to bring together people from so many sectors who embody our mission in their work and strive to make Massachusetts more inclusive and equitable,” said BSHC CEO Margaret Hogan, “We have come so far but there is always more work ahead.”

State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz presented Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell with the Elder Justice Advocacy Award for her leadership in establishing initiatives that protect older adults. State Sen. Lydia Edwards presented Karen Chen, Executive Director of the Chinese Progressive Association, with the Community Advocacy Award for her grassroots work empowering Boston’s Chinese American community. The organization also remembered lawyer and lobbyist Patricia A. Lynch, a beloved advocate for people with mental illness and substance use disorder. State Rep. and Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata introduced the Patricia A. Lynch Excellence in Public Service Award, which was presented posthumously following Lynch’s passing in July.

Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home: Five Simple Ideas