Motion Sensor Lights for Dementia: Simple Changes that Made a Difference

Simplifying everything and making it as easy as possible was one of

would come a day when Mama might forget how to turn the lights on or off.

Motion sensor lights ended up being one of the best things I added. There was nothing for her to remember. Which made it easy for her with the dementia. She didn't have to find a switch, press a button, or ask for help. The lights simply came on when she needed them and turned off again when she went back to bed.

For us, this helped reduce confusion during the night, made it easier for her to move around safely, and gave me one less thing to worry about.

The only downside was that sometimes the ceiling lights stayed on, and Mama would look for a way to turn them off because they were so bright. It wasn't something I could deal with remotely, but it was a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits.

I used a combination of battery-operated and rechargeable motion lights, and both worked well. It really comes down to preference.

I also added solar-powered motion lights outside near the entrance, which made coming and going after dark much easier. I bought some for my neighbours too - they loved them.

This is what worked for us. Every person with dementia is different, but removing one more thing that required remembering made daily life that little bit easier.

If you'd like to see exactly how I set up our home, along with the things that worked, the things that didn't, and how I adapted as dementia progressed, you'll find it all in my caregiving planning handbook. You can also learn more on my How I Can Help page.