Safety Risks for Aging Adults with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Safer home for Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Keeping your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia safe is of utmost importance. As your loved one ages safety hazards in the home can become more and more risky. You will need to ensure a safer home environment for your aging loved one.
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BEST PRODUCTS FOR A SAFER HOME FOR ALZHEIMER’S
Many people wish to care for their aging loved one in the home. When it comes to dementia or Alzheimer’s, there may be more specific safety hazards. Some of the most common risks in the home are confusion, wandering and falling hazards. The following products may be able to help keep them living independently for longer.
Some of our Favorite products to make home safer for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Orientation clock with large display– can be very helpful especially for someone who is becoming forgetful
- Wireless smart home cameras– easy to install wireless cameras to help you keep an eye on what is going on with your loved one.
- Medical Alert system-Prevent undetected falls and injuries with a life-saving medical alert system for seniors in the home. Includes 24/7 monitoring, complete cellular coverage. My 2 favorites are: this medical care alert and this medical alert bracelet and lanyard call button system.
- GPS SmartSole Worried that your loved one with dementia will wander off? These shoe inserts let you monitor the whereabouts of loved ones who are at risk of becoming disoriented and lost. Just slip on their shoes and go – like they normally would.
- Auto Stove Safety Shut Off– Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia may forget that they have something cooking on the stove. Having this auto stove safety shut off can help prevent fires in the home.
- Color Coded Cutting Boards– Another kitchen hazard is cross contamination which can be more of a concern when someone is confused. Color coded cutting boards can help ensure your loved one uses a different surface for cutting meat vs. veggies and other meal ingredients.
- A Timed Medication Reminder Box– ensure your loved one with dementia is taking their medications with a timed pill reminder box.
- Blue White Therapy Lamps– Lamps that emit is bluish white has been proven to mimic daylight and help with circadian rhythm, making the bedtime transition easier. When your loved one sleeps better they will have less risk of falls.
- Floor mat Fall Sensor– You can place this bedside or in the doorway and it will alert you in the event of your loved one falling.
- Door Stop Signs– Prevent your loved one from wandering into a room or out an exit with these door stop signs.
Potential Safety Hazards and Ways to Reduce or Eliminate them
A good medical alert system is something I recommend at every consult. One of my personal top choices is this one by Medical Care Alert. It offers both landline and cellular options and no long term contracts. There are some aging adults do not like wearing the unsightly “alert button” lanyard. An alternative is a Smart Watch with GPS Tracking and Fall Alert is a great way to keep them safe, and a watch is usually something that they may wear already.
When it comes to your loved one, you may have noticed they have begun pacing, wandering or exit seeking. There are several reasons that they may be doing this. Here are some tips that may help prevent or reduce some of these hazards.
- Redirecting and reassuring your loved one
- You can provide a safe environment for pacing by removing tripping hazards such as cords
- Sometimes signs on doors can be a deterrent from using a door to exit
- You may also consider painting or wallpapering your door to match the surrounding walls so that they do not recognize it as an exit
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