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Is it possible for those with Alzheimer's to live at home? Alzheimer's Home Safety Checklist .
Posted on Sun, July 6, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Older adults with Alzheimer's may be physically able to live at home independently, but their cognitive challenges can make it extremely dangerous. Fortunately, there are several safety precautions that family members can put in place to minimize the risk of accidents, and therefore delay or prevent nursing home admission.
Use the following checklist as a handy guide ...
- Install door locks in non-traditional places, for example at the top of the door.
- All doors leading to the outside should not be able to be unlocked by the individual with Alzheimer's. Either remove the key from the lock or install a two-stage unlocking system (i.e., a deadbolt and a chain), which is too complicated to unlock.
- Keep all valuables in a secured location.
- The backyard must have a fence and gate with locks.
- Ensure that all pills, hazardous materials, alcohol, dangerous utensils, knives, and all inedible substances (i.e. shampoo, aftershave, detergent) are either locked or stored out of reach.
- Remove waste paper baskets from the bathroom because they are easily confused for a toilet.
- Remove stove knobs or use a stove with an automatic shut off.
- A whistle kettle will remind an older adult that the kettle is ready, or use a kettle with an automatic shut off.
- Hide sink stoppers to eliminate the risk of a sink overflowing.
- Use safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to minimize exit seeking behaviour and wandering.
- Put plastic covers in electrical outlets.
- Install a home alarm that chimes whenever a window or exterior door is opened.
- Use a bed exit system (a mat that is placed at the edge of a bed that sounds when stepped on).
- Keep outside lights off at night because those with Alzheimer's are afraid of the dark. This will decrease the risk of wandering and exit seeking.
- Camouflage or cover windows and exterior doors to reduce wandering and exit seeking behaviour.
- Remove valuable, sentimental, or breakable items.
- All plants and flowers should be nonpoisonous.
- Ensure that there is an area in the house for the older adult to safely wander.
- Remove all locks from interior doors.
- Post emergency numbers in highly visible areas of the house, such as beside the phone.
- In the event that the older adults locks someone out of the house, hide a key outside or give one to a trusted neighbour.
- Place a clock in all frequently used rooms to serve as a constant reminder of the time of day.
- Keep furniture arrangements consistent to avoid confusion.
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