Alzheimer’s is a serious condition that changes a person and can expose them to potentially hazardous situations.
If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, here’s how you can help in making their home safer and easier to navigate.
Overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. As the disease advances, those with Alzheimer’s may experience confusion, disorientation and changes in their ability to perform daily tasks.
These cognitive changes can pose safety risks for your loved one, which is why it’s important to adapt the home environment accordingly.
Understanding Alzheimer’s behavior
As a caregiver, part of your role is to anticipate and address the behaviors of someone with Alzheimer’s to minimize potential dangers. Common behaviors include:
- Wandering
- Agitation
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty with judgment
Keeping a senior with Alzheimer’s safe at home
Making your loved one’s home safe starts with creating a secure and accommodating living space.
Here are specific safety considerations for different areas of the home.
Enhance bathroom safety
The bathroom is a common source of accidents, especially falls. The combination of slippery surfaces and the presence of water make it dangerous for your senior loved ones.
To make it safer, consider installing any and all of these devices.
Grab bars
Grab bars provide stability and support in areas where falls are more likely to occur. They can also help your senior loved one in:
- Standing up
- Sitting down
- Maintaining balance
Anchor them to the wall securely and see to it that they’re capable of supporting the weight of the senior. These devices should also be placed at appropriate heights and locations to provide maximum support and accessibility.
From time to time, inspect the grab bars for stability and wear and tear.
Non-skid mats
Non-skid mats can significantly improve bathroom safety for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease by reducing the risk of slips and falls on wet surfaces. Place non-skid mats in areas where these are likely to happen, such as:
- In front of the shower or bathtub
- Near the toilet
- Around the sink
Shower chair
These devices can help your loved one by providing a secure seating option during bathing.
When choosing a shower chair, opt for a sturdy, adjustable and appropriate for the senior’s needs and preferences. Position the chair properly within the shower or bathtub to maximize stability and safety.
Other considerations
- Adjust the water heater to a safe temperature to prevent scalding.
- Remove clutter and ensure good lighting to reduce tripping hazards.
Enhance kitchen safety
The kitchen can be a potentially hazardous area for seniors with Alzheimer’s due to the presence of sharp objects and hot appliances.
Here’s what you can do to make the kitchen safer.
Fire prevention measures
Implement fire prevention measures to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents and promote the overall wellbeing and independence of your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
These measures include:
- Installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Avoiding using loose clothing while cooking
- Developing an emergency response plan for caregivers and your senior loved one
Childproof latches
These devices prevent access to hazardous items and areas in the kitchen, which reduces the risk of accidents, injuries and ingestion of harmful substances.
Assess the kitchen environment and install childproof latches on cabinets containing cleaning supplies, sharp utensils or other potentially dangerous items.
Automatic appliances
Using automatic shut-off appliances can improve the kitchen safety for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease by minimizing the risk of burns, fires, spills and accidents, while also promoting their independence. At the same time, these appliances provide peace of mind for caregivers.
Carefully select automatic appliances with appropriate safety features and functionality to meet the specific needs and preferences of your loved one.
Safe storage of hazardous items
Practicing safe storage of hazardous items in the kitchen protects seniors with Alzheimer’s disease from accidental injuries, poisoning or exposure to harmful substances.
For their safety, keep toxic substances, like cleaning products and medications, in locked cabinets or out of reach.
Other considerations
- Label cabinets and drawers with pictures or words to help the senior locate items.
- Remove throw rugs or secure them to prevent tripping.
Enhance bedroom safety
The bedroom should be a comfortable and secure space for your loved one.
Here are some enhancements that you can do to enhance bedroom safety.
Bedside safety measures
- Use bed rails or bed alarms to prevent falls during the night.
- Place a nightlight or motion-activated lights in the bedroom and along the path to the bathroom.
- Lower the bed height or consider getting a lower bed frame to minimize the risk of fall injuries.
Enhance home security
Maintaining home security helps to prevent your loved one from wandering.
Here are what you can do to help keep them safe.
Door and window safety
- Install secure locks on exterior doors and windows.
- Use keyless locks or place locks out of the senior’s line of sight to deter wandering.
- Childproof the window guards to prevent seniors from accidentally falling out or climbing through open windows.
- Apply safety decals or stickers to glass doors and windows to help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease distinguish between open and closed areas.
Implementing a secure entry system
Consider installing a doorbell camera or intercom system to monitor who is at the door before allowing entry.
If you have more budget, secure entry systems can be equipped with emergency access features, such as panic buttons or emergency key overrides, so caregivers or emergency responders can quickly enter in case of a medical emergency or other crisis.
Yard and garage
Outdoor areas can present safety challenges for seniors with Alzheimer’s because of different circumstances, such as:
- Uneven surfaces
- Presence of gardening tools and chemicals
- Having unsecured entrances
- Vehicle safety
- Wildlife
- Weather conditions
For their safety, you can implement the following measures:
- Fence the yard to prevent wandering.
- Remove tools, chemicals and other hazardous materials from the garage.
- Install motion-activated lighting in outdoor spaces.
Emergency preparedness
By having a plan in place and taking proactive measures, you can effectively respond to emergencies and provide the necessary support and assistance to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.
As early as now, create a safety plan that includes contact information for emergency services and family members. Also, see to it that the senior carries identification and a list of emergency contacts.
In addition to these home safety measures, provide supervision and engage in activities that stimulate memory and cognition. Regular medical check-ups and communication with healthcare professionals can also help manage the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Key takeaway
Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s can be demanding, but with proper home safety measures, support and patience, you can create a secure and comfortable environment that promotes their wellbeing and quality of life.
