Tips for Keeping the Home Safe for Those with Dementia

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the cognitive changes your loved one experiences can cause greater risks to their safety at home. Additionally, the physical, behavioral and sensory symptoms of their condition may put them in dangerous situations. If your loved one still resides at home, either alone or with family, it’s important to recognize the effects of Alzheimer’s on your loved one’s safety and take precautions to keep them out of harm’s way.

How Alzheimer’s Limits a Loved One’s Safety

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia causes changes that affect a loved one’s safety through:

• Judgment – Forgetting how to use household appliances; putting harmful substances in their mouth; dressing inappropriately for the weather.
• Sense of time and place – Getting lost on their own street; not recognizing familiar areas within the house; going out late at night.
• Behavior – Becoming easily confused, aggressive, fearful or suspicious.
• Physical abilities – Having trouble with balance; slipping, tripping or falling; dropping or breaking sharp objects.
• Senses – Experiencing loss of vision or hearing; insensitive to temperature; lack of sense of smell.

• Remove tripping hazards – Electrical cords, rugs, poorly placed furniture.
• Make sure security devices are in working order – Your loved one may not be able to smell something burning. Check their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
• Remove weapons from the house – Even if your loved one is just tidying up, an accident could occur when handling a weapon.
• Keep areas well lit – Vision changes could make it hard for your loved one to move around. Good lighting can help avoid trips and falls.
• Place medications in a locked drawer – Your loved one may forget that they took their medication and accidentally take too many doses or take pills from the wrong bottle.
• Be prepared for emergencies – Keep important phone numbers and addresses next to the phone in large, easy-to-read print.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom – Placing bars near the toilet or in the shower can help your loved one stay independent and avoid a fall.

While you make adjustments to your loved one’s home and routines, keep in mind that you’re supporting their needs, not limiting their freedom. Try not to make an environment that’s restrictive. Rather, create a place that allows for safe independence and dignity.

The Art of Living

At Tuscan Gardens® of Venetia Bay, we’ve mastered the art of living. We’ve perfected the balance of personalized support and an uplifting lifestyle, helping our residents experience independence, joy, and meaning every day.

Offering supportive independent living, assisted living and memory care services for families in Venice, Florida, Tuscan Gardens of Venetia Bay was founded with one simple, yet profound goal – to create a community worthy of our parents. In all we do, we are guided by the principles of family, culture, and engagement, working to represent the remarkable way of life our families deserve.

The essence of our community is made up not only of mere aesthetics but an artfully designed lifestyle to bring out the best of what each day has to offer. From dedicated care that respects residents’ individuality and dignity to a lifestyle that nurtures their love of life, Tuscan Gardens was built to be more than just a residence, but a place to call home.

To learn more about our comfortable, elegant community, contact us today!