30 Sep How to Safe-Proof Your Home for Dementia
How to Safe-Proof Your Home for Dementia
It doesn’t matter if you’re the one aging, if you’re caring for a spouse who is developing memory problems, or your loved one is in the late stages of memory loss, safe-proofing your home for dementia is a step that shouldn’t be skipped. Just make sure you customize a safety plan that works for you and your loved one.
General safety tips
Many safe-proofing home tips for dementia work well for seniors and those with mobility issues. A few general safety tips include:
- Illuminating walkways indoors and outdoors
- Safely securing rugs to the floor
- Keeping floors clutter-free
- Turning down the water heater to avoid burns
- Installing grab bars in the bathroom
- Using textured stickers on slippery surfaces, like tubs and steps
Safety tips for those suffering from dementia
In addition to the general safety tips listed above, there are some other tips that will keep a dementia patient safe in their own home without the need for friends or family to worry. They include:
- Removing the knobs on the stove so it can’t be turned on
- Replacing appliances with models that have an auto shut-off feature
- Installing locks out of sight so it’s not easy to wander out of the house
- Keeping medications in a locked drawer or a cabinet
- Locking up all chemicals in the laundry room, garage, and basement
- Removing all weapons from the home, and consider locking away knives
All caregivers and emergency personnel should have easy access to the house with a key that is hidden outdoors. In addition, a list of emergency contacts should be taped to the refrigerator.
Safe-proofing a home for a dementia patient is a personal process that takes time. Life & Health Care can help. Contact us today for help making a home safer for you or a loved one.