Home Helpers Senior Care Services Blog

If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, no doubt you have wondered if it is safe for them to continue living at home.  Will my Mom wander away from the house? Is my Dad growing more confused? Do they recognize me when I come to the door?

You should continually evaluate the ability of your parent to live at home safely.  
 
Questions to regularly ask are:
• Can the elder recognize a dangerous situation, like a fire?
• Does the elder know how to use the telephone for getting help?
• How content is he or she at home?
• Are there signs of agitation, depression or withdrawal?
• Does the elder wander?
• Is his or her confusion increasing?

To keep the home safe for the dementia patients and other family members, follow these tips:

Older people tend to fall at times. This may be due to lack of balance or other things. If there are stairs in the house, it is better to put a stair gate. Also make sure that there are no loose objects or mats lying on the steps. This will prevent accidental fall when patients are left alone.

Floors need not be highly polished as this may cause the floors to be slippery. Make sure the carpets and rugs are also fixed to avoid accidents.

Place the things that the patient use everyday within easy reach. For example, if the dementia patient loves to cook, have all the pans and utensils, except possibly for the knife, accessible. This would prevent tripping over and breaking things.

Make sure there is decent amount of light in the house. Dementia patients may be confused when they are in dark areas. Keep a good light on along the hallway and in the bedroom especially if the patient tends to wake up at night.

Keep chemicals, insecticides and other poisonous substances inside cabinets and out of reach. A dementia patient may accidentally drink these substances.

Do not let a person with dementia take a portable water heater in the bathroom by him or herself.

Have a mat or bath seat in the bath area or tub to prevent the patient from slipping. Hand rails may also be fitted in the bathroom to help them get around easily.

Medicines of the patient should also be locked in a safe place. When left alone, they may take more doses than prescribed which may be harmful to them.

Caring for a person with dementia is like caring for a child. Taking precautionary measures will help them live a safe and happy life. It is best to let them enjoy their lives despite their condition and keep them in their home as long as possible with the right safety measures, quality caregivers, and if necessary, constant companionship.

It is possible to successfully care for an elder with dementia at home, as long as the necessary support and supervision are in place. At some point during the disease's progression, however, the intensity of these requirements exceeds the abilities of most families. One of your most important responsibilities as a caregiver is to identify the point at which your loved one is no longer safe at home. In-home care services can provide the peace of mind and quality of life that both you and your loved one want - and need.

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