Home Safety Tips for Caregivers of a loved one who has Alzheimer's/Dementia
Sep 20, 2013
Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's can be rewarding and stressful. Follow these home safety tips to help keep your loved one out of harm's way.
Home safety is important for everyone — but it carries addedsignificance for caregivers. This is especially true if you're caring for aloved one who has Alzheimer's or other Dementia in your home. A throw rug or a small toy onthe ground could easily put your loved one at risk of an injury. Toprevent these dangerous situations, We consider these home safety tips forcaregivers to be aware of when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or other Dementia.
Firstly start by thinking about your loved one's behavior, abilitiesand health. Can your loved one safely walk up and down stairs alone? Do they tend to walk around or get up at night? Have they fallen before? Next you must check every room in the house for potential hazards and make a note changes you think should be made. its Important to keep note that by changing the environment around your loved one is more effective thantrying to change your loved one's behavior.
Lock up any breakable or dangerous supplies. Installchildproof latches on cabinets and drawers to limit access to items such ascleaning products, alcohol, matches, knives and scissors.
Prevent access to potentially dangerous appliances. Installsafety knobs on the stove to prevent your loved one from turning the stove onor off.
Remove artificial fruits or vegetables or food-shapedmagnets. These objects might appear to be edible to your loved one's.
Installing a monitoring device, such as baby monitor will help youhear if your loved one falls or needs help. This would be extremely helpfulif your loved one has advanced dementia.
Take caution when using heating devices. Don't use portable heaters in your loved one's bedroom. If your loved one uses an electricblanket or heating pad, keep the controls out of their reach.
Avoid any clutter build up's. Recycle all newspapers and magazines. Keep areaswhere people walk free of furniture. Keep plastic bags out of reach. Limit most of your decorative objects. Trim large plants, and remove anyplants that might be toxic if eaten.
Mark glass doors, windows and furniture. Place a decal onglass at your loved one's eye level, if possible, to help him or her see glasspanes.
Take caution when using fireplaces. Don't leave your lovedone alone with an open fire in the fireplace.
For any Questions on Alzheimer's or other Dementia Contact us on 1890 930 847 or www.homeinstead.ie
