Safety

Safety around the home becomes an issue for people with dementia. Taking preventive steps is important to avoid falls and other accidents as well as to prevent your loved one from wandering off.

Dementia caregivers in a 2007 focus group identified the following as major home safety concerns:

• Medication problems
• Driving problems
• Falling
• Verbal aggression
• Wandering
• Appliance Problem
(Lach and Chang, 2007)

Moving About the Home

As their coordination decreases, it is important that your loved one be able to move about the house safely. Make sure that rooms and hallways

• Have non-slip walking surfaces
• Have sufficient lighting
• Are not obstructed by furniture, cords, or clutter

For stairs, consider installing handrails as well as safety strips on the steps.

Preventing Accidents

It is important that dangerous items or complicated appliances be placed out of the reach of loved ones who might confuse their use or purpose.

• Consider automatic shut-off devices for appliances such as ovens and toasters or storing them when they are not in use
• Items such as weapons, household cleaners and chemicals, or matches should be placed in locked cabinets.

Locks and Preventing Wandering

Locks are an easy way to prevent your loved one from opening windows or doors and wandering.

• Outside windows and doors should have locks installed in out of sight places near the top or bottom of the door frame.
• Locks should be removed from bathroom doors or other rooms in the house where loved ones could inadvertantly trap themselves inside.

Weapons and Firearms

One memory clinic survey found that a firearm was present in 60.4% of homes where an individual with dementia was living (Spangenberg et al., 1999). Safety tips for homes with firearms include:

• Make sure the firearm is unloaded and locked away when not in use
• Keep the ammunition stored in a different location than the firearm itself
• Talk to your local police or sheriff's office if you wish to get rid of the weapon or to learn more about firearm safety

Preparing Alternative Caregivers

If someone else will be staying with your loved one while you are absent, be sure that this person is aware of his or her needs and abilities. If possible, have this person visit beforehand when you can be present to assure that the visitor is comfortable around your loved one and that your loved one is comfortable with him or her.