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When I worked as a home health aide a few years back, making a home safe for an elderly person who is frail or has mobility challenges was a fairly simple matter of taking care of things like installing hand rails, re arranging furniture and removing other obstacles from the home. But for a person with Alzheimer’s it can be a much more difficult task. An elderly person that suffers from Alzheimer’s has to be protected from much less obvious hazards but also from acts that occur from someone losing their memory. One example that you would not normally think of is that an elderly person with Alzheimer’s may forget a knife is sharp or a stove is hot. Many people who suffer from this disease will also have a tendency to wander and it doesn’t matter if it is day or night. An elderly person who lacks judgment, coordination and is disoriented wandering around their home in the dark of night is a combination for disaster. As in most cases, the best way to protect someone for injury is through vigilance. But nobody can be expected to keep an eye on someone’s every single move 100% of the time. That is just impossible. This makes preventative measures extremely important. Elderly people with Alzheimer’s have reduced balance and coordination; their home should be cleared of any type of tripping hazard—such as electrical cords and loose rugs. Sharp corners of furniture can cause serious injuries during a fall. There are many things that ca be considered when trying to make a home safer for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Here are some of the things that can make your home safer. Having extra lighting in the house and contrasting floor colors at doorways, stairways and landings make it much easier for someone to see the difference in the surface and possible changing heights that will help to avoid trip and falls. Motion sensors and door alarms to help caregivers know when a elder moves around at night. Night lights in their bedroom and other traffic areas to ensure safe movement at night. Lowering hot water settings for their home to avoid burns, Remember you are caring for a person that may actual forget that the “H” on the faucet means hot or even forget what “hot” is. Use child proof locks to block access to sharp or otherwise potentially hazardous appliances, objects, and substances. To protect from wandering utilizing deadbolts or locks on gates can also be a good idea. These are just some things to consider when being the primary caregiver to an elderly person with Alzheimer’s. In the event you feel you need assistance from a professional, there is help available. There are geriatric care managers that can help ensure you are doing everything reasonable to give your loved one a safe environment.
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home, safety, elderly, alzheimer's,
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