Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Safeguarding Your Home
April 22, 2010 – 11:26 pm
Living with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s can be a difficult time in your life. Now that this family member requires more care it’s important that you keep a watchful eye on them and ensure that they don’t get hurt while in their home or your home. So in order to make the environment safer, you need to consider their age as well as memory problems.
Below are some ways you can safeguard a home to prevent your loved one from injuries or triggers that can cause their disease to flair up.
- First, you should assess the surroundings and note any areas that pose difficult or risk such as stairs, loose railings, areas without grab bars, etc. With these things in mind, you can create a plan to resolve these problems and find ways to improve the safety.
- It’s also best to keep the area as simple as possible so there aren’t any distractions. Sometimes it can be challenging for elderly individuals to process information, and it could prevent them from remembering to turn off the stove or from doing other things. Plus, everyone can benefit from a clutter free home, because it’s easier to function in one.
- There should be clear walking paths throughout the home. However, area and small throw rugs shouldn’t be used, because these pose a fall risk. You can arrange the furniture slightly different and remove decorations that are in the way.
- Labeling certain items as well as keeping important notes on the refrigerator in plain view are great ways to help your loved one stay as independent as possible.
- Locking or putting alarm on doors that lead to dangerous places is also beneficial. For example, if the basement has narrow steps or if the garage has dangerous materials, you don’t want anything bad to happen. If you can’t lock or alarm these zones of your home, it’s best to remove the dangerous items to prevent injury.
- Create a safe place for your family member to relax. This could be a bedroom with a sitting area or a smaller space that can house a rocking chair and some reading material.
Alzheimer’s can be stressful for the person with the disease as well as the family caring for the person, so it’s wise to make the living area as comfortable and safe as possible to reduce stress and prevent accidents.
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