A Better Living Home Care Agency
(Sacramento)

9719 Lincoln Village, Suite 609
Sacramento, California 95827
(916) 361‑3000

A Better Living Home Care Agency
(Walnut Creek/Concord)

2280 Diamond Boulevard, Suite 580
Concord, California 94520
(925) 680‑0300

Creating Alzheimer's & Dementia Safe Environments

As Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia change a person's abilities over time, it is important to continuously reevaluate home safety measures. Please visit this web page again as new issues and circumstances arise. You'll remain several steps ahead of danger while maintaining a solid peace of mind.

Evaluate Your Home Environment

A home can pose several risks to the person with dementia. For instance, cluttered spaces indoors, dangerous tools in the garage, staircases, and basements all pose potential dangers. As you're evaluating your home, consider these objects and areas then take the necessary steps to make them safer. Safety precautions that are recommend for homes include:

• Close and Lock Up Hazardous Areas: Place locks on entrances to dangerous rooms like the garage.
• Disguise Hazardous Areas: Cover doors with clothes, curtains, wallpaper, mirrors or painted murals. Swinging or folding doors may help to hide entrances to stairwells or a kitchen.
• Place Locks Out of Sight: Locate deadbolts either high or low on exterior doors to make it difficult for the person to wander out of the house.
• Remove Bathroom & Bedroom Locks: To prevent the individual from getting locked inside a room, remove door locks.
• Limit Access with Child‑Proof Locks: If there is a room with dangerous appliances, poisonous cleaning liquids, etc., child‑proof door knobs and locks can be installed on entrances to limit access.
• Keep Safety Equipment in Working Condition: Check often to ensure you have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Eliminate Access to Dangerous Objects and Substances

Everyday appliances and household objects can pose dangers to people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. By taking the necessary precautions, you can help to reduce or eliminate risks:

• Supervise Tobacco & Alcohol Use: Beside harmful side effects and dangerous interaction with medications, another danger is posed when the person with dementia is left unsupervised. A forgotten cigarette can start a fire; alcohol may contribute to a fall or injury. Supervising the use of tobacco and alcohol may save lives.
• Safely Store Dangerous Objects: Grills, power tools, fire arms, knives, cleaning products, and even lawn mowers need to be stored in a secure (ideally locked) location.
• Place Electronics Far from Water Sources: Remove electronic radios and clocks from bathrooms, lock up blow dryers and curling irons, and keep your kitchen clear of appliances that can be dropped or left in the sink.
• Buy Auto Shut‑Off Appliances: Auto shut‑off is a great to rely on. Many appliances such as irons, lamps, and coffee makers come with auto shut‑off devices and are perfect for keeping your loved one with Alzheimer's safe.
• Install Hidden Gas Valve or Circuit Breaker on Your Stove: When you have to worry about your stove getting turned on by the person with dementia, it's time to install a gas valve or circuit breaker. Another option is to remove your stove’s knobs.
• Rid Your Home of Toxic Plants: Consumption of such plants can be life threatening; it is best just not to have them at all. Also, discard decorative fruits lest they are mistaken for real food.
• Lock Up Medications: Prescription drugs and vitamins should be stored in a locked area to protect the Alzheimer's person from over dosing.
• Keep Kitchen Counters and Table Tops Clear: Remove seasonings and sugar substitutes from kitchen counters and tables. Store these items securely inside kitchen cabinets.

Adapt the Environment to Changes in Vision

Dementia can cause a person difficulty in distinguishing colors and understanding what one is seeing. But there are ways to adapt to the changes in vision that will keep someone with dementia from harming themselves.

• Illuminate Dark Rooms, Entrances and Hallways: Consider keeping plugging in and keeping lit night lights on even during the day in exceptionally dark areas of the house. Add extra lights to entries, outside landings, and stairways to reduce risks of tripping and falling.
• Use Colorful Rugs as Sign Posts: Lay brightly colored rugs in front of doors or steps to help people with dementia anticipate staircases and room entrances. Dark rugs may confuse individuals as they may appear to be holes in the floor.
• Remove Throw Rugs: Reduce the risk of tripping for someone who has difficulty walking or uses a cane or walker.

Invest in Professional Home Care Assistance

Many of us can't stay home and supervise a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia as much as we need to. Fulltime jobs, school, and other responsibilities can take up several hours at a time, if not all day. That is when calling a professional for support just makes sense. A Better Living Home Care has a flexible solution that can be tailored to meet your needs and schedule. Contact A Better Living Home Care today for a free consultation.

Learn more about Alzheimer's Disease
Living with Alzheimer's
Managing Wandering with Alzheimer's