For many families, the goal is clear: keep their loved one with Alzheimer’s at home for as long as it’s safe. Aging in place can be comforting and familiar, giving seniors a continued sense of independence, but it also comes with risks. Two of the biggest concerns for seniors with dementia are wandering and having accidents around the house. Fortunately, Alzheimer’s home care providers are trained to handle both, often before a crisis even happens.
Understanding Why Wandering Happens
Wandering is one of the most common and dangerous behaviors that can occur in seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. This could mean leaving the front door open at night, getting lost in their own neighborhood, or trying to “go home” to a house they lived in decades ago.
What is important to understand is that wandering typically isn’t random. Hunger, pain, confusion, or the need to finish a familiar task can often cause it.
Caregivers who have been trained in Alzheimer’s home care learn to spot these triggers early on and step in before the behavior gets worse. They also help families set up regular daily schedules, which studies show can greatly reduce the behavior.
Creating a Safer Home Environment
While aging in place is safe for many seniors, it can be quite dangerous for someone with Alzheimer’s, especially as the disease progresses. Stairs, stoves, sharp objects, and unlocked doors pose risks that may only become clear when something goes wrong. Trained Alzheimer home care providers are able to complete a thorough home safety check to find and fix these problems.
Some of the changes they might suggest are:
- Putting door alarms and doorknob covers on doors to seniors from leaving without permission
- Installing grab bars in bathrooms and mats that don’t slip in dangerous areas
- Removing or locking stove knobs to prevent fires or burn accidents
- Removing clutter in hallways and throughout the home to reduce the chance of falls
- Using visual aids like colored tape or signs to help the senior find their way around their own home
These are not fixes that will last forever. As the disease progresses, caregivers can reassess the home to see if additional safety measures are needed.
Leveraging Technology for Round-the-Clock Safety
Technology is becoming increasingly important in modern caregiving to fill in the gaps between visits. For instance, GPS tracking devices, wearable alert systems, and motion-sensor monitors are all useful for stopping seniors from wandering.
Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families choose the right devices and setup for their particular loved one’s needs. They also make sure that monitoring systems are used in a way that is moral and caring so that the senior’s dignity is protected while they are kept safe, which can help ease anxiety for both the senior and their family members.
With the help of Alzheimer’s home care providers, the right preventative steps can be put in place, and seniors can receive the support and monitoring they need to continue aging in place despite their diagnosis. For families navigating this journey, that support is not just helpful—it is essential.
If you or an aging loved one needs Alzheimer’s Home Care in Lincoln, CA, contact A Better Living Home Care today (916) 514-7006
Sources:
- https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/wandering
- https://www.upmc.com/services/seniors/resources-for-caregivers/wandering-tendencies-patients-alzheimers-dementia
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/factsheet_walking_about.pdf
- https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/home-safety
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