Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have brought their parents home from nursing facilities to keep them safe and to tend to their health needs. After all, coming into contact with many people might not be in their best interests at the moment. 

However, it is important to bear in mind that proper planning and home modification is crucial if an older adult who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease is going to live with you. 

In this blog, we will share some tips which will help you to make your home more comfortable and safe for seniors who live with dementia: 

Stow away household items that pose a risk 

Because of extensive memory loss, someone living with Alzheimer’s may not be able to identify the potential dangers associated with the careless handling of everyday objects. For instance, a harmless hair dryer may cause electric shocks if handled improperly. That is why it is crucial to store such items out of reach. An effective approach would be to get childproof locks on cabinets that contain such items. 

Hide electric appliances such as blenders, electric kettles, grills, coffee makers, curling irons in child-proof drawers. The same goes for home cleaning products as well as medication. Keys to such spots shouldn’t be accessible to them. 

Keep an eye on the pantry 

Regular pantry and fridge inspections are necessary to get rid of spoiled, expired, raw food, especially if someone with dementia is living with you. They may not know that the food is unfit for consumption as their judgment and decision-making abilities are significantly affected. 

If your senior loved one is prone to leaving their chair or bed and going to the kitchen (which has a lot of hazards) unattended, then investing in a chair alarm pad may be extremely beneficial. 

 Take the help of technology 

Given mobility issues and significant memory loss, people with dementia are extremely prone to wandering and falls. The simple addition of tech devices can go a long way in helping you to monitor and keep them safe from such serious threats. 

For instance, chair sensor pad alarms will immediately inform you if they are trying to get up by themselves to go to the bathroom. In addition to this, motion sensors near doorways and video monitors will alert you if they attempt to leave the home whilst being confused about where they are. 

 Pay extra attention to hazards in the bathroom 

While inspecting your home, make sure that you reassess the bathroom for additional safety. This space contains a lot of elements that can cause falls and injury. 

First of all, consider getting rid of locks on their bathroom door so that they don’t lock you or themselves up by mistake. Go for non-skid bathmats to prevent slips. 

Consider installing shower chairs, grab bars near bathtubs and toilets, and temperature-controlled faucets that prevent extremely hot water from being released. In addition to this, get rid of razors and switch to a wireless, cordless trimmer instead. You may also want to store medicines in a box with a lock. 

These small changes will help to enhance the quality of the senior’s life and keep them safe when they stay over with you. To prepare your home before their arrival, browse through Kerr Medical’s website for sensors, anti-wandering devices, video monitors, incontinence products, and chair alarm pads for the elderly today.