Keep Loved Ones Safe with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating not only for the patient suffering from the illness but their friends and family as well. As your loved one’s cognitive abilities change, you may find environments that were once safe are suddenly dangerous.

Because of the changes in perception and cognition that accompany Alzheimer’s, it’s important to create a safety plan. Read on to learn more about easy steps you can take to prevent injuries and ensure your loved one’s safety.

Why Alzheimer’s Safety Is So Important

Alzheimer’s progressively changes your loved one’s cognitive abilities. You may notice some or all of these changes which can affect their safety:

  • Your loved one may misjudge the danger in situations. They may forget basic safety procedures they’ve followed their whole life.
  • Your loved one may become confused, suspicious, or afraid more easily, which can affect their safety in public places.
  • Spatial memory. They may become lost more easily, even in once-familiar places.
  • People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in hearing, vision, depth perception, and their sensation of temperature. These may cause them to not notice dangers in their environment. Changes in the body’s natural sense of balance may also increase their risk of falls.

Protecting Your Loved One

When your loved one’s abilities are profoundly affected, it can be difficult to know where to start to keep them safe. Follow these simple steps:

  • Check over your loved one’s environment. Your home is filled with hazards you know how to deal with, but someone with Alzheimer’s may not. Be sure to check over garages, workrooms, closets with cleaning supplies, and other locations in your home that may be dangerous. Consider putting dangerous items under lock and key.
  • Pay special attention to the kitchen. Your kitchen is full of hazards like stovetops, knives, and appliances. Consider installing an automatic shut-off on your stove, or remove the knobs. Buy appliances with automatic shut-off features, and consider locking away knives. Remove decorative objects like wax fruit from easy access.
  • Hire an in-home caregiver. While you may love your friend or relative dearly, you can’t put your entire life on hold to take care of them. A licensed in home caregiver takes care of your loved one when you can’t. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe, accounted for, and not lonely. Your caregiver may also have further advice about protecting your loved one from hazards in your home.

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can put your life in disarray. By taking basic steps to secure your home and protect your loved one, you’ll keep them safe and ensure your peace of mind.

Conclusion

It’s critical when yourself or a loved one is dealing with the difficulties associated with Alzheimer’s that you have a strategy to keep them as safe as possible in the home. Hiring an in home senior care team can help take the worry and stress out of the home care situation.

Angel Companions Senior Care is an Alzheimer’s home care agency located in Marietta that helps people stay safe and happy in their home. If your family member lives in an assisted living facility and is in need of additional special attention the home cannot provide we are there to help!  If you have any questions please use our contact page form or call us today at 770-579-5000!