How to Keep the Home Safe for Seniors with Alzheimer's Disease

Elder Care in Old Bridge NJ

Living with Alzheimer’s does not necessarily mean the senior has to immediately move into an assisted living facility. However, it does mean that they will eventually need around-the-clock care and supervision. With care from a professional elder care provider, older adults with this disease are able to live at home for their entire lives. To make it possible, it is important that the home is safe enough for the elder to live in. Here are a few tips to keeping your loved one’s home safe and secure in order to allow them to live in their home for years to come.

• Put yourself in their shoes. Look at the inside and outside of the home from the viewpoint of the elder. Determine if there are any objects that could harm them, if they could easily leave the home, or if there are any other dangers that could be hazardous to the well-being of the senior.
• Be prepared. If there were ever an emergency, your elderly parent will be glad that you helped put together a plan. Leave a list of emergency phone numbers next to their phone so that they know who to contact if they are in need of help. This list could include the phone numbers of neighbors, close family members, the fire department, and police department. If they have a cell phone, make sure it is always charged and ready to go.
• Install locks that are out of reach. As the senior’s Alzheimer’s disease progresses, they will easily become confused in familiar places. They may also have the urge to wander outside of their home. To prevent the senior from getting lost, you. Any want to install deadbolt locks that are out of their reach in order to stop them from unlocking it themselves.
• Keep the home well-lit. Falling is a danger that many seniors are at risk of. In fact, a majority of emergency room visits by older adults are the result of a fall. Use bright lighting in every area of the home to help the elder see if there are objects they could stumble into. Hallways, staircases, and other popular rooms are especially in need of bright lights.
• Lower the temperature of the water heater. Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease have a difficult time telling how hot the water is, which may cause them to take baths in freezing cold or scalding hot water. Keep your loved one safe during bath time by lowering the temperature of the water heater.

Alzheimer’s disease is a challenging condition for the elder to live with, but at least they will have the opportunity to live at home with these safety tips.

Source:
https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-home-safety.asp

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Old Bridge, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care of New Brunswick today. Call (732) 607-8870.