A senior’s environment can have a significant impact on quality of life and affect the way he or she responds to Alzheimer’s treatment. Family caregivers need to make modifications to their parents’ homes that allow their aging loved ones to move around with ease and address many of the symptoms associated with this disease. Here are some ways to increase home safety for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Lock the Doors & Windows
Wandering is a serious issue associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Seniors may leave home and walk around, forgetting where they’re going and failing to return home safely. If your loved one’s memory has decreased significantly, he or she might have issues remembering his or her name or address. When strangers find your loved one out wandering, they won’t be able to get him or her home safely unless they know where he or she lives.
You can purchase an ID bracelet for your loved one to wear, but the best way to manage this issue is to lock all doors and windows. You should also keep a spare key hidden in case your parent accidentally locks you out of the home.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer at-home care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Keep Medications Secured
Overmedicating is an issue for seniors with Alzheimer’s because of cognitive impairment. They often forget when to take their medications and sometimes take higher doses. You can help your loved one develop a medication management plan to prevent overmedicating.
Keep all medicine locked up and secured. You should never leave prescription or over-the-counter medications out in plain view, as this could put your loved one’s life at serious risk, especially if he or she often becomes confused, agitated, or forgetful.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Dana Point families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Install Locks on Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers
Paranoia and hallucinations are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s, which is why family caregivers need to keep all sharp objects and potential weapons out of their loved ones’ reach. You can install locks on the cabinets and drawers in various areas of the home, especially the kitchen, which could prevent your loved one from causing harm to him or herself or other people when panicking or hallucinating. Your loved one’s instinct will be to protect him or herself, even when there’s no danger. If the cabinets and drawers aren’t locked, your loved one could pick up a knife or another dangerous object and stab him or herself, leading to severe injury or death.
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Assisting Hands® Dana Point, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Assisting Hands® Dana Point provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (949) 426-7300 today.
