Kitchen
- A whiteboard by the kettle with today's plan in three short lines.
- Large plain labels on the four cupboards that matter, and none on the rest.
- A kettle that switches itself off, and a jug of squash left visible on the worktop.
- Glass-fronted or open shelving for cups and plates, so nothing has to be remembered.
- Brighter bulbs — most kitchens are darker than anyone realises.
Living room
- A large day and date clock in the eyeline of the usual chair.
- A wall calendar at eye height with visits in thick pen.
- One remote control, with the unused ones put away.
- A photo list beside the phone: name, relationship, number.
- A firm chair with arms, which makes standing up far easier than a soft one.
Bedroom and landing
- A bedside clock that dims and says 'Night' in words.
- A low-level light on the landing, left on all night.
- Curtains that open easily, and daylight in the morning wherever possible.
- Nothing on the floor between bed and bathroom — no rugs, no cables, no baskets.
Bathroom
- A contrasting toilet seat, which is genuinely easier to see than a white one.
- Grab rails fitted properly, not suction cups.
- A non-slip mat, and taps that are clearly hot and cold.
- The door left ajar with the light on at night, so the room is findable.
Hallway and front door
- One named place for keys, glasses and purse, agreed once and never moved.
- Good light at the door, and no dark rug on a dark floor.
- A note by the door if it helps — 'Back at 4, love Sarah' — rather than anything locked.
- If leaving the house unsafely is a real risk, speak to adult social care about telecare rather than improvising.
What no amount of furniture fixes
You can make a house as clear as you like and still be sitting at your own kitchen table at nine in the evening wondering how the day went. Objects do not report back.
You Care Reminders adds the two or three moments a day that need a voice — a call, a text or a phone alert in your own words, with one tap to confirm — so the day has a shape and you know it happened.
The wider picture
roughly 6 in 10
people with dementia in the UK live in their own home, not in care.
Source: Alzheimer's Society
Being straight with you
You Care Reminders is a non-medical wellness tool, not monitoring, not a fall detector and not an alarm. Delivery is best effort rather than guaranteed, and it must not be used for medication reminders. In an emergency, call 999. For equipment and adaptations, ask your council's adult social care team for an assessment.