Home Safety Tips for People with Alzheimer's Disease

Home safety is crucial if you're living with a person with Alzheimer's disease since the risk of accidents and injuries increases as symptoms change and progress. When someone with Alzheimer’s develops gait and balance problems, for example, even a simple rug on the floor can cause them to trip and fall.

Alzheimer’s also affects hearing, vision, and sensitivity to the environment. A person with Alzheimer's can easily become confused or forget how an appliance works. They might exercise poor judgment or wander out of the house and get lost in a neighborhood that used to be familiar.

Making a few modifications around the house might be a daunting task but you will need to evaluate each room, especially in areas where there are potential hazards, such as the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and basement. Putting safety measures in place at home will provide a comfortable living environment for an individual with Alzheimer's.

Install or remove locks

Keep items like cleaning supplies, gardening chemicals, tools, electrical appliances, and medications safely locked and out of reach. Install child-proof locks and deadbolts in these cabinets and keep the keys safely hidden in one container. Give a trusted neighbor spare keys to the house’s main door, in case the person with Alzheimer's locks everyone out. Remove locks, however, in the bedroom or bathroom door as a person with Alzheimer's might accidentally get locked in.

Keep safety devices up to date and in order

Have at least two or three working fire extinguishers and keep one specifically in the kitchen. Ensure that the smoke detectors are working fine and replace the batteries if necessary. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Some families use a baby monitoring device or a CCTV unit to keep watch over the patient with Alzheimer's from the bedroom or the living room. Safety alarms for open doors and windows should always be turned on.

Modify the kitchen

Replace appliances with devices that have timers, motion monitors, and automatic turn-off features. Consider installing knob covers for the kitchen stove, which can be purchased at most home stores like Walmart.

Either disconnect the garbage disposal unit or disguise the switch so that it won't be accidentally turned on. Throw away artificial food decorations and kitchen magnets that look edible. Keep scissors, knives, and plastic bags locked in drawers. Place adhesive rugs on the kitchen table or by the sink.

Modify the bathroom

Ensuring safety in the bathroom is crucial because it is a common site of slipping and tripping accidents. Install handrails or grab bars by the toilet and the bathtub for easier mobility. Consider adding raised toilet seats as well.

Place adhesive strips on the bathroom floor, including the tub and the shower area, to prevent slips. Provide a shower chair or stool inside the shower as well as a hand-held shower nozzle.

Tag the faucet with color codes or change it completely. Use red for hot water and blue for cold water. Always maintain a tepid temperature for bathing to prevent scalding.

Modify the stairs

Install handrails on both sides and keep the staircases well-lighted. This area should be cleared of items and obstacles at all times to prevent tripping. It might, however, be necessary to put stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to discourage the person with Alzheimer's from going up and down without assistance.

Tidy the living room and bedroom

These areas should be free from clutter as well, hence, it might be better to lessen decorative objects or indoor plants, remove the magazine rack, and roll up electrical cords. Arrange the furniture in these rooms so that it will be easier to move around without obstacles.

If the house has a fireplace, never leave the person with Alzheimer's alone in the room.  Also, never use portable heating devices in the bedroom.

Keep a night-light on in case the person with Alzheimer’s might need to get up to use the bathroom or have a drink of water. It’s better, however, to anticipate these needs before bedtime and schedule accordingly.

Address other safety issues

Post a list of emergency contact numbers and addresses by the telephone and post the same information in other rooms around the house. File and keep medical records in one accessible place. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit handy as well.

Notify neighbors and local merchants about your loved-ones with Alzheimer’s. Label clothes with the person’s name and emergency contact numbers in case he or she wanders off and gets lost.

It’s also important to note that the needs of an Alzheimer’s patient changes. You might eventually have to consider other options for home care depending on the progression of the disease.