Alzheimer's Caregivers: Safety at Home

By John Trevey

Safety is a primary concern for Alzheimer's caregivers. Just as professional Alzheimer's care homes implement precautions to promote the utmost safety for their residents, caregivers with a live-in loved one who has Alzheimer's disease consider safety at home a primary concern.

Adapting your home environment to accommodate the evolving safety needs of your loved one with Alzheimer's can give you peace of mind and allow your loved one to remain more independent for longer. Alzheimer's disease can cause people to be unpredictable at times, so prevention is a crucial aspect of providing the safest possible environment for your loved one.

One important preventative measure is to keep potentially dangerous items in your home locked away and inaccessible to your loved one. Some items to keep in a locked cabinet or other inaccessible location are prescription and non-prescription medications, alcohol, cleaning products, guns and other weapons, knives and other sharp objects, breakable items and anything of value that could be misplaced. Add password protection to your computer or any files not intended to be accessed by your loved one. Additionally, ensure that you have secure locks on all doors leading outside to prevent your loved one from stepping outside unnoticed.

Besides preventing access to potentially harmful items in your home, you can also take steps to help prevent accidents and behavior that could lead to mishaps. Add nonskid treatments to any surface that could cause a person to slip and fall, such as the shower floor and hardwood stairs. Your loved one may be curious and feel inclined to explore items and places of interest. For this reason, it is important to keep wires such as extension cords out of the way with any visible portions affixed to baseboards, and treat any exposed electrical outlets with childproof covers. Fish aquariums should also be out of sight due to the combination of water, electrical equipment and inviting appearance.

You can also add touches to reduce chaos and confusion for your loved one. Maintaining a clutter free home is a good way to keep the environment pleasant and calm for both yourself and your loved one. Additionally, post emergency phone numbers and your address prominently near each telephone in your home for easy access.

Due to the degenerative nature of Alzheimer's disease, it will be beneficial for you to periodically reevaluate your home for safety. There are many ways you can go about preparing your home for your loved one's residence, so take into consideration the individual behavior of your loved one as well as any doctor recommendations in seeking the appropriate safety precautions to implement. Taking measures to prevent accidents will allow for reduced worry and a more pleasant living environment for yourself, your loved one and other members of your household.

About the Author:

John Trevey is the manager of The Breckinridge, a Lexington nursing home specializing in Alzheimer's care. For more information, please visit www.thebreckinridge.com.

Article courtesy of www.ideamarketers.com.