Making Home Safe for Your Parent with Alzheimer’s

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Staying at home can be a great way for your senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease to relax in a comfortable setting. However, this environment can be filled with a lot of potential hazards. To keep your loved one safe, you’ll need to take a little time to make adjustments to his or her surroundings. Here are some tips for making the typical house a safe place for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. 

Adjust Sinks, Stoves, & Other Heat Sources

Modern technology makes it easy to reduce the risk of burns and fires. With a smart outlet, you can set the oven and stove on a timer and have them turn off automatically in case your loved one forgets. Smart outlets also allow you to entirely shut off kitchen appliances if it’s not safe for your loved one to use them at all. 

Don’t forget about the risk of scalding as well. It may be necessary to turn down the temperature on the water heater to prevent burns from hot water in sinks, tubs, or showers. 

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide at-home care. Turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.

Remove Any Potentially Dangerous Items

There are many ways common household items can become dangerous. Seniors with Alzheimer’s can mistakenly consume cleaning chemicals or other poisonous substances. Make sure all cleaners, paints, solvents, soaps, medications, vitamins, and toxic plants are stored in a secure place where your loved one cannot reach them.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Miami Beach families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Adjust Locks throughout the Home

When seniors have Alzheimer’s, it can be very easy for them to mistakenly lock themselves in rooms and be unable to get out. Consider removing locks from all interior doors or replacing them with automatic ones that open when your loved one twists the knobs. 

For all windows and exterior doors, you might need to upgrade the locks. Switch to locks that are harder to use or placed in unexpected areas like at the tops of doors to make it difficult for your loved one to leave the house without you noticing. You may also want to install sensors that alert you whenever your loved one is about to leave the house. 

Fix Tripping Hazards

Alzheimer’s can cause a variety of coordination issues, so try to protect your loved one from slips and falls. Get rid of rugs, electrical cords, and items placed in the middle of common walkways. Alzheimer’s can also impair eyesight and make it challenging to see low-contrast objects, so it can be helpful to apply bright tape to the edges of stairs. If possible, add grab bars to toilets, showers, and other high-risk areas. Make sure stairs have a sturdy railing and secure any tall or bulky furniture to the walls.

Update Indoor Lighting

Low lighting levels often cause distress and confusion for seniors with Alzheimer’s. They may find it difficult to see without tripping, face challenges recognizing familiar objects, or confuse shadows for threats. Consider adding extra lighting to rooms so your loved one can see things as clearly as possible.

Every senior living with Alzheimer’s deserves high-quality Alzheimer’s care. Miami Beach families can rely on the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care to keep their loved ones safe while managing the symptoms of the disease. Our caregivers help seniors regain a sense of pride and accomplishment while promoting cognitive health. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us at (305) 564-6251 today.

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