Safety Hazards for People with Alzheimer's Disease
Within the Home: Nearly 83% of Alzheimer's patients stay with their families upon diagnosis. This is so beneficial to these patients because, in most cases, it gives them an increased amount of comfort and also allows them to be around the people they love. However, the home can be a dangerous place if the right precautions are not put in place. It is very important for family members to take this into consideration and to modify their homes as necessary. Below is an Alzheimer's Home Safety Checklist. Every caregiver should put these precautions in place to keep their loved ones more safe. |
Alzheimer's Home Safety Checklist
Safety Measures to be Taken Outside the House:
Safety Measures to be Taken inside the House
- There should be a spare key for your home. This could be hidden in an area outside the home or left with your neighbor.
- Good lighting system to be set up around the house.
- Toxic substances should be removed from the vicinity of the home.
Safety Measures to be Taken inside the House
- The staircase inside the house should have a rail built in for support.
- Lighting should be appropriate in all areas of the home.
- Electric plugs in the home should be covered with childproof plugs.
- Different rooms in the house should be labeled like bedroom and bathroom.
- The furniture in the house should be arranged in such a manner which would not create inconvenience for the patient.
- Flashlight and telephones should be easily available in the house.
- The room should be free from clutter.
- Firearms should be locked and stored in respective cupboards.
- The telephone should have an answering machine.
- There should be a fire extinguisher in the house.
- Products used for cleaning the home should be stored in a secure manner.
- Sharp instruments like forks and knives should be locked and kept away.
- Rooms should have night lamps.
- Emergency numbers should be placed in a few vital areas in the home.
- Rugs and carpets in the various rooms should be removed.
- In the bathroom a lock should be installed that can be opened both ways. There should also be provision that in case the bathroom door cannot be opened, somebody can access the bathroom.
- There should be a handle near the tub for support.
- The water heater should be placed in a secure position.
- There should be a small light in the bathroom which would be switched on during the night.
- The cabinet in the bathroom should be secured properly.
- Razors should not be left open in the bathroom.
- A hand held shower can be used in the bathroom.
- Smoke detector should be placed in the patient room.
- There should be no clutter in the patient’s room and minimum furniture should be kept.
Below is a video podcast in which a dementia helpline adviser discusses some of the common questions about home safety that she receives on a daily basis.
References for this page:
Alzheimer's Home Safety Checklist: Are You Aware of This? (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2015, from http://www.diagnosisalzheimers.com/alzheimers- home-safety-checklist-are-you-aware-of-this/
Dementia and safety in the home - Alzheimer's Society podcast February 2015. (2015, February 2). Retrieved March 12, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ho6L2IV-aA
Image retrieved from:
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/guide-to-safe-guarding-your-home.html