Adapting A Home for a Senior with Dementia

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, certain changes have to be made. Things we’ve become accustomed to can suddenly create dangerous situations for our loved ones who are dealing with cognitive issues. Fortunately, safeguards can be put in place to make life safer and more enjoyable for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They can also give peace of mind to those caring for an elderly parent at home.

People contending with dementia may have trouble remembering key safety steps while doing things they’ve done all their life such as cooking, cleaning, or even navigating their own home. We can help make their home safer by surveying it with a careful eye, searching for potential dangers and eliminating them before they can do any harm.

What to look for to reduce risks in your senior loved one’s home:

Clean out the chemicals

Under the counters, in the garages and in the basements of most homes, any number of toxic chemicals can be found. Paint, cleaning supplies, and pesticides are real dangers to people who do not use them properly and safely. In the laundry room, hazards including laundry pods, bleach and other cleaning products can be found. These toxins should be removed from the home or kept in an inaccessible place.

Don’t stand the heat

The kitchen is an important area to concentrate on when it comes to home safety for seniors experiencing memory difficulties. A hot stove can be a source of danger, so invest in knob covers to prevent the appliance from being turned on without supervision. Turn off the gas to the stove, if possible, when it’s not being used. Disconnect the garbage disposal. And while we’re on the subject of temperature, turn down the water heater so your senior loved one isn’t scalded when they turn on the tap at the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, or in the shower or tub.

Controlling your substances

Identify prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines that could be dangerous if taken in the wrong quantities. Keep medication in a locked container and ration it out in daily doses for your elderly loved one. A simple plastic organizer is a great tool for those caring for an elderly parent at home. It can help you keep track of what medication needs to be taken. Drawer locks are another tool that can keep drawers with dangerous contents secure.

Slippery when wet

One of the most dangerous places for seniors in their own home is the bathroom – especially the shower or tub, where surfaces get slippery, and can result in falling onto hard, unforgiving floors. Grab handles are a simple and effective solution for shower slips and for getting in and out of the tub. If you have a choice when selecting a place to live for your senior loved one, choose a bathroom with a walk-in shower over a residence with a traditional tub that requires you to step over the side of it to enter. If moving to a senior-friendly space isn’t an option, consider replacing the tub with an accessible shower – or at least put textured, non-slip mats on the floor of the tub or shower to reduce fall risks.

Safe and Secure

When caring for an elderly parent at home, it’s a good idea to secure heavy furniture to walls to ensure that your elderly parent doesn’t fall if she or he leans against it for support or pulls on it for leverage. Chairs with arm rests are preferable over ones without, as the arms give seniors something to use for support when they get up or sit down. Sometimes people living with dementia are prone to wandering, so to avoid a dangerous situation, consider putting a latch that’s out of sight or out of reach on exterior doors.

In the Bedroom

Is their bed too high or too low to safely get in and out of? If so, add furniture that is easier to access so they don’t take an unnecessary fall. For example, place a chair by the bed or maybe a bench at the end of it to give your senior loved one a place to sit while they dress and put on their shoes. In addition, bedroom items like electric blankets and heating pads can be dangerous for those suffering from dementia because of the risk of burns or even electrocution. If your loved one insists upon having them, their use should be carefully monitored.

Declutter your domain

Being able to get around in our house is something we took for granted when we were younger. But when you are experiencing mobility and memory issues, it’s not as easy. Avoid falls by removing trip hazards like throw rugs, extension cords, and other clutter in walkways.

Lighten Up

Make sure there is plenty of light so your senior loved one can see where they’re going when they walk through the house. Brightly colored tape can be used to highlight trip hazards, like the edge of stairs, to ensure your senior sees them.

It’s on the List

To avoid panic and confusion, create labels and lists that help your senior loved one get through their life. Put stickers on doors to rooms like the bathroom, laundry room and bedroom to give your elderly parent a reassuring reminder of where they are. Helpful notes can remind them to shut off the water when they’re finished at the tap. Create a list of important phone numbers. Include emergency responders like the fire department, poison control and police, as well as family members and other important contacts like doctors and social workers.

Find What Works for You

With some thought and effort, we can make our senior loved one’s home a safe and comfortable place for them to continue to live. Try to observe them as much as possible throughout their day to learn their routine and identify potential danger before accidents happen.

If it ever becomes too dangerous for your senior loved one to live in their home alone, in-home assistance like Bethesda’s Senior Support Solutions could help alleviate your worries. If you need full-time assistance caring for your loved one, discover what Bethesda’s memory support communities could do for you.

Learn more about how to keep your loved one safe on Bethesda’s Alzheimer’s & Dementia blog.