With 850,000 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the UK, and a significant number of the rest of the aging population suffering from dementia from other causes, it is likely that many families will find themselves trying to make the home safe for individuals with dementia. The following is a list of proactive steps you can take as a caregiver regarding home safety for Dementia and Alzheimer sufferers.
Getting around – Home Safety for Dementia and Alzheimer Sufferers
- Make it easy (and safe) to navigate the house: That means getting rid of throw rugs and cleaning out clutter that gets in the way of safe passage through the home. Remove decorative mirrors. Often a dementia patient can be startled by their appearance, especially if they have forgotten that they have aged or if they don’t recognize their own face.
Food preperation | Home Safety for Dementia and Alzheimer Sufferers
2.Simplify the kitchen: Remove outdated or spoiled food (check at least once a week). Move favorite foods or drinks into one or two special and easy to reach cabinets and remove the doors from these to make it easier to find things. Don’t over pack these shelves. Remove sharp items like knives or place them in a locked drawer, and consider installing safety locks on the stove and oven.
Bathroom basics | Home Safety for Dementia and Alzheimer Sufferers
- Retrofit the bathroom for someone with limited mobility: This includes installing a raised toilet seat, grab bars, a shower seat, and a handheld showerhead.
Clothing | Home Safety for Dementia and Alzheimer Sufferers
- Organise the cupboards: Arrange clothing on hangers in matching sets. Make sure all socks are paired and easy to access. Check regularly that dirty clothes are making it to the hamper, and add baking soda to the wash if urine smells are a problem.
Lock down medicines | Home Safety for Dementia and Alzheimer Sufferers
- Make liberal use of safety locks: Besides in the kitchen, install safety locks on cabinets where chemical cleaners or other dangerous substances are stored, and secure medicines. Do not allow an individual with dementia to be in charge of dispensing his own medicines.
Caretaking for a loved one with dementia is one of the hardest jobs you can take on, and maybe one of the most important. Making sure your house, or that of your loved one, is set up to keep him or her safe is one step you can take to make this tough assignment a little easier.
We (Online Care Courses) are a training provider that offers a number of courses for care givers whether professional or family members. Our elderly care course range includes individual courses on;
Carers awareness
Working with disabilities
Further reading:
Tips for reducing risk of Dementia in later years
