Alzheimer’s Association Recommended Home Safety Tips


Alzheimer’s Association Recommended Home Safety Tips

The Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging caregivers and families of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia to keep home safety top of mind.

There are currently more than 6 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s, including 266,500 Illinois residents.

Home safety is important for everyone, but this is especially true if you are caring for someone living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. The need for a comprehensive safety plan becomes increasingly important as the disease progresses.

“The brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s and other dementia affect each person differently and can pose new safety concerns and considerations that may have not existed previously”, said Delia Jervier, Executive Director Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. These include changes in physical ability, judgment and behavior. 

 

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a home safety checklist (https://bit.ly/4c2C0EB)  with steps to keep your loved one safe, including these:

Evaluate your environment – A person with dementia may be at risk in certain areas of the home or outdoors. Pay special attention to garages, basements and outside areas where there are more likely to be tools, chemicals, cleaning supplies and other items that may require supervision.

Be prepared for emergencies – Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and addresses for local police and fire departments, hospitals and poison control helplines. Have working fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Install locks out of sight – Place deadbolts either high or low on exterior doors to make it difficult for the person to wander out of the house. Keep an extra set of keys hidden near the door for easy access. Remove locks in bathrooms or bedrooms to prevent the person with dementia from locking themselves in.

Keep walkways well lit – Add extra lights to entries, doorways, stairways, areas between rooms, and bathrooms. Use night-lights in hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms to prevent accidents and reduce disorientation.

Remove tripping hazards – Keep floors and other surfaces clutter-free. Keep extension cords tugged away. Remove throw rugs or smaller furniture items that can be a tripping hazard such as magazine racks and coffee tables.

Avoid safety hazards in the kitchen – Use appliances that have an auto shut-off feature. Prevent unsafe stove usage by applying stove knob covers, removing knobs or turning off the gas when the stove is not in use. Place medications in a locked drawer or cabinet – To help ensure that medications are taken safely, use a pillbox organizer or keep a daily list and check off each medication as it is taken.

Avoid injury in the bathroom – Install walk-in showers. Add grab bars to the shower or tub and at the edge of the vanity to allow for independent, safe movement. Add textured stickers to slippery surfaces. Set the water temperature in sinks and bathtubs at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent scalding.  

Improve laundry room safety – Secure and lock all cleaning products such as detergent, liquid laundry “pacs” and bleach. Prevent access to the washer and dryer. If possible, keep the door to this room locked.

Assess safety hazards in the garage and/or basement – Limit access to large equipment, such as lawn mowers, weed trimmers or snow blowers. Keep poisonous chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner, out of reach. Lock and properly store ladders when not in use to prevent a tripping or climbing hazard. Remove access to car keys if the individual with dementia is no longer driving. Install a motion sensor on the garage door.

Remove or secure firearms and other weapons – The presence of a weapon in the home of a person with dementia may lead to unexpected danger. Dementia can cause a person to mistake a caregiver for an intruder or lack the cognitive abilities to use a firearm safely.

“Taking measures to improve safety can prevent injuries and help a person with dementia feel more relaxed, less overwhelmed, and maintain his or her independence longer,” added Jervier. “It is important for families to re-evaluate safety plans as the disease progresses and safety issues change.” 


To learn more about home safety for your loved one including tips on wandering, driving and medication safety, go to alz.org.


Contact: Lionell Martin, Public Relations Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, lrmartin@alz.org, 773.593. 4211

About the Alzheimer’s Association®: The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272-3900.


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