Alzheimer?s Care at Home: Safety Tips You Need to Know About

Posted by AlzCottages on January 10th, 2017

Making sure a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease is able to remain in their home environment for as long as possible is important for many families. Doing so, however, can open up the person, their family and their home to increased risks as memory begins to fade, judgement becomes impaired and agitation becomes a routine occurrence.

There are simple measures caregivers can take to help safeguard their loved ones and their homes from common household hazards. Here are a few tips that can make a difference in preventing accidents:

• Remove stove and appliance knobs when not in use – As the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progress, cooking even a simple pot of soup can become a real hazard for a loved one and their home. Taking off the knobs to prevent use when a loved one cannot be monitored 24/7 can provide peace of mind. Automatic shutoff appliances can also serve the purpose.
• Lock up hazardous materials – Cleaning chemicals, pesticides and other hazardous materials should be locked up in a safe place that the individual being cared for cannot access. Consider moving materials into a cabinet with a lock or out into a locked garage.
• Install safety features in the bathroom – Grab bars in the bathtub, bath chairs and other similar devices can help prevent serious accidents. It is also a very good idea to install slip-resistant bath mats.
• Keep radiators covered – Burns from heating pipes and radiators can be a serious hazard for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease. Installing appropriate insulation can prevent this from becoming a real concern.
• Keep medications out of reach – As the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease begin to progress, it’s important to make sure the consumption of all medication is supervised. To prevent accident overdoses, take over dosing and administration. It is also very important to make sure medications are locked up to prevent the loved one from accessing.
• Remove tripping hazards – To prevent falls and serious injuries, such as broken hips, look for and remove any trip hazards in the home. Throw carpets that are not secured, for example, can pose a serious concern.

Caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease at home is a labor of love. To ensure the safety of all involved, however, it can be important to implement safety measures throughout the home. A few simple steps can help prevent injuries, fires and other potential mishaps from occurring.

About Author

The Cottages have been operating in Texas since 1997 and are family owned and operated by The Cottages Senior Living. The Cottages are state-of-the-art certified assisted living residences for people living with Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders.