• Keys and locks

Consider rekeying all the locks in the house so that a single key opens them all -- reducing the number of keys the person has to fumble with on a key chain. Make sure you have copies of the house key for yourself. Give another spare to a trustworthy neighbor in case the person in your care gets locked out of the house.

• Home delivery

Simplify routines by reducing the number of tasks a person has to remember. If he or she typically went out to buy a daily newspaper, arrange for home delivery. Some stores will deliver basic groceries such as milk and eggs. Prescription refills can often be handled by mail.

• Bulletin board

Next to the calendar, hang a corkboard where you can post reminders, frequently used phone numbers (including yours), and other important information.

• Labels

For some people with moderate dementia, it can be handy to put labels on a few of the most-used drawers and cabinets in the kitchen and bedroom. But keep the labels simple and minimal, as too many may be confusing.

• A corded phone

Dementia sufferers who usually use a cordless telephone may forget to leave it in the cradle or base to recharge it, or they may simply lose it. Cell phone batteries may also run low and get lost. A traditional telephone attached to a cord is a fail-safe backup.

• Photo directory

If the person you're caring for has lots of different faces to deal with -- a meals-on-wheels volunteer, rotating home-health aides, adult daycare workers, physical therapists, doctors -- try taking snapshots of them and placing these in a special album or even on a bulletin board in plain view. Label them with each person's name and relationship to the person in your care. You can refer to the pictures as prompts before a scheduled meeting.