Dementia Home Safety

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, they and their loved ones may actually be relieved—briefly—to finally have an explanation for troubling symptoms. Very often, symptoms of dementia have been present for almost a decade before a person is officially diagnosed. There is currently no single test to reach a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, so people typically pursue a diagnosis through several appointments with family physicians, neurologists, and professionals in brain imaging.

It’s important to acknowledge that no two people experience dementia the same. And in the early stages, many will still be able to drive, work, and live independently. But as the disease progresses, it can cause difficulties with executive function and impulse control, putting the person with dementia at an increased risk of accidents and injuries. In fact, people with dementia have twice the risk of hospitalization from injuries than people without dementia.

“At first, the safety needs of a person with dementia are not that different than any other older adult,” explains Gregory Simon of Right at Home Uptown New York City. “But eventually with cognitive decline, their motor skills decrease and they have issues with walking and balance.”

Preparing to live with dementia can help prevent accidents or injuries. Also, certain changes around the home can help a loved one with dementia feel safe and comfortable. That sense of security can help stave off some of the more difficult behaviors that dementia can cause. Making changes before your loved one’s dementia progresses to the point where these issues bother them can save family members and caregivers some headaches and discomfort, and even prevent injuries.

“You don’t need to change everything at once,” Greg says, “but it helps to have in-home care as a supervisory safety precaution when your needs begin to change.”

Dementia can cause changes in a person’s perception of the space around them and their ability to distinguish between colors and patterns. A chevron-patterned rug may appear to be moving and checkered flooring could appear to be dangerous holes in the ground.

“Overall it really comes down to the safety and acknowledgement of different situations,” Gregory says. “Our caregivers adapt to each person’s unique situation—it’s important for us to have aides who are patient and understanding of cognitive decline.”

Here are some things to consider to make the home a safer place for someone with dementia:

Colors: Use contrasting colors on walls and floors to make it easier to visually “understand” the room.

Patterns: Remove rugs and curtains with busy patterns that could confuse a person with dementia.

Stairs: Mark the edges of steps with brightly colored tape. Install handrails on both sides of the stairs and nonskid rubber treads to prevent slipping.

Mirrors: Limit the number and size of mirrors and consider where to place them. People with dementia may not recognize themselves in the mirror or be startled by their reflection.

Clutter: Keep floors clear of clutter, especially trailing wires.

Furniture: Remove furniture with thin legs that could be tripped over.

Locks: Install secure locks on all outside doors and windows but remove locks on interior doors. Install locks out of sight, such as above or below eye level.

Alarms: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in or near the kitchen and all sleeping areas. Check their functioning and batteries frequently. Consider installing door and window alarms that allow you to monitor when someone leaves the home.

Keys: Hide a spare house key outside in case a door is accidentally locked.

Equipment: Limit access to equipment such as lawn mowers, weed trimmers, or snow blowers. Lock and properly store ladders when not in use.

Chemicals: Keep poisonous chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner, out of reach.

Pool: Put a locked fence around your pool and install pool alarms with an electronic sensor.

Personal alarm: Consider giving your loved one with dementia a personal alarm that they can press if they fall. Some smart watches have features that indicate the wearer has fallen.

Emergency phone numbers: Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and addresses for local police and fire departments, hospitals, and poison control helplines.

And if that all seems overwhelming, in-home care can help. As part of the intake process at Right at Home, a nurse completes an assessment of the client’s needs. “They are going to look for any dangerous furniture placement, places where a grab bar would help, or raised beds, and remove anything that can confuse or injure a person with dementia,” Gregory says. From there, his staff can refer to trusted outside contractors to make any necessary home modifications.

Additionally, home care can keep people with dementia connected to their communities. Gregory sits on the board of the New York Memory Center, which offers transportation and support services for both people with dementia and their caregivers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a dedicated time for people with cognitive decline and their caregivers to view artwork under the direction of a trained Alzheimer’s educator. Right at Home’s caregivers can help their clients connect with these and other opportunities for engagement.

Making changes to the home and staying purposefully social are great ways to pave a path forward to living a healthy and safe life for yourself or someone else with dementia.