Imagine being in the bathroom with an incontinence product in your hand. You know it needs to go somewhere — but where? You look around… nothing catches your eye. No bin, no obvious place. What would you do?
For someone living with dementia, this situation can happen even when the waste bin is right there. The bin may visually blend into the space, feel unfamiliar, or simply not register as a container for waste in that moment. As a result, a person might leave items on the floor, put them in their bag, or even try to flush them.
This isn’t carelessness or “behaviour.” It’s a cognitive and perceptual challenge. There are ways to support it.
Why the Waste Bin May Go Unnoticed
Dementia can change the way a person sees and processes visual information. This can include:
👀 Reduced Peripheral Vision
Objects may need to be right in front of the person to be noticed.
🎨 Difficulty With Contrast
If the bin is similar in colour to the wall or floor, it may blend in, almost disappear.
🌈 Colour Perception Changes
Colours we distinguish easily (e.g., blue vs. green) may appear similar.
🧠 Difficulty Interpreting Objects
Even if they see the bin, they may not identify what it’s for — or how to use it.
Being curious about the “why did they put that there?” moments can give sense to the situation, sometimes even bring solutions. They are doing their best with the information their brain can process in that moment.
Ways to Make the Waste Bin More Accessible
✅ Lid or no lid?
- No lid: Easier — just drop it in.
- Lid: May feel more private — helpful if someone feels embarrassment or dignity concerns.
✅ Use Contrast
Help the bin stand out visually:
- Pick a bin in a contrasting colour to the walls or floor
- Pick a colour your loved one sees clearly
- Use good lighting to reduce shadows and confusion
- Add a coloured label or border around the opening
✅ Size & Location
- A bin that's too small may go unnoticed.
- A bin that's too large may block mobility equipment.
- Choose a safe, visible place to place the bin
✅ Add Helpful Cues
Try:
📝 A sign on the wall saying “Waste bin →”
✨ A bright sticker on the lid
✨ Highlighting the bin's opening
👋 A simple cue: “Waste goes in there.”
Your Needs Matter Too
These suggestions are here to support you and your loved one — not to add pressure.
You matter.
Your comfort, your energy, and your peace matter.
Start small.
Choose one or two strategies and situations that feel manageable.
Give yourself permission to try, observe, and adjust.
Final Thought
Dementia doesn’t take away a person’s intention to do the right thing — it changes their ability to interpret the world around them. With thoughtful changes, you can reduce stress, support dignity, and make daily life easier for both of you.
Have you tried environmental changes like this at home? What has worked well for you?
I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments
This article offers ideas to support well-being for people living with dementia and their care
partners. Please remember: every person is different. Adapt suggestions to your loved one’s abilities and consult healthcare professionals if you’re unsure about safety or medical concerns. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice or care planning.
References:
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Fernandez, R., Kavcic, V., & Duffy, C. J. (2007). Neurophysiologic analyses of low- and high-level visual processing in Alzheimer disease. Neurology, 68(24), 2066–2076. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000264873.62313.81
Flanigan, P. M., Khosravi, M. A., Leverenz, J. B., & Tousi, B. (2018). Color Vision Impairment Differentiates Alzheimer Dementia From Dementia With Lewy Bodies. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 31(2), 97–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891988718767579
Graff-Radford, J., & Lunde, A. M. (2020). Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: A guide for people with dementia and those who care for them. Rosetta Books.
Lakshminarayanan, V., Lagrave, J., Louise Kean, M., Dick, M., & Shankle, R. (1996). Vision in dementia: Contrast effects. Neurological Research, 18(1), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616412.1996.11740369
Mendez, M., Tomsak, R., & Remler, B. (1990). Disorders of the visual system in Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology, 10, 62–69.
Metzler-Baddeley, C., Baddeley, R., Lovell, P., Laffan, A., & Jones, R. (2010). Visual Impairments in Dementia With Lewy Bodies and Posterior Cortical Atrophy. Neuropsychology, 24, 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016834
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