Safety Tips For Around the House - Family Caregivers

Persons with a memory impairing illness, such as Alzheimer's Disease or related disorders, need to feel safe and secure in their environment. Because of their reduced ability to make sound decisions, caregivers need to consider changes to the home environment to assist their family member with safety and managing their surroundings. In looking at your living environment, consider some of the following tips:

> Hide a spare house key outside. Many people accidentally lock the caregiver out of the house.

> Consider removing coffee tables, foot stools, magazine racks and other such items from the living area. Your family member is at increased risk of falls and injury and every effort should be made to reduce or eliminate obstructions.

> Keep the environment constant. Follow the same routines as much as possible and avoid moving furniture.

> Never overwax your floors. Remove throw rugs that may become a slip hazard.

> Stairs can be dangerous. A gate at the entrance or exit may discourage your family member from attempting to navigate stairs alone. (Note: Be sure the gate is high enough that it will be easily seen, cannot be stepped over and can be locked in place.)

> The top stair and the bottom stair are the stairs most frequently associated with falls. Consider painting them a different, contrasting color, adding non-slip strips to these steps or other method to make these stairs stand out.

> Consider adding dead-bolts to exit doors. Keep the key close by, but out of sight of the family member.

> Consider adding slip chain locks or hook-and-eye locks to exit doors to prevent unsupervised wandering outside.(Be sure they are above eye level at the top of the door so they are less likely to be noticed.)

> Contact your local Fire Department - they often have stickers to identify rooms that have handicapped persons living in them.

> Motion sensor alarms can be purchased inexpensively. Placed by exit doors, outside bedroom doors, near basement stairs... you will receive an audible alarm when your family member enters the area where they are installed.

> If your family member becomes confused answering the phone while you are gone, you may wish to purchase an inexpensive switch to shut the ringer off while you are away.

> Remove knobs from the stove when you are not there to supervise your family member. Use plastic plug covers to cover outlets, child safety locks on cupboards or medicine cabinets.

> Check with a local nursery to be sure your current houseplants are non-toxic.

> Use night lights in halls, bathrooms, bedrooms to prevent disorientation in the dark.

> Lower water temperature to 120 degrees to avoid scalding

> Alert your neighbors and local police department if your family member begins wandering.

The WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has other resources available regarding home safety and caregiver issues. Feel free to contact them for assistance at (716) 626-0600.

For information regarding ElderWood Senior Care's Memory Care Programs, contact us at (716) 633-3900.