Critical Alzheimer’s Safety Precautions for the Home

by Lara Belonogoff

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Keeping the home safe and secure for a person with Alzheimer's disease should be a priority. Besides the following recommendations you should also know about fall prevention techniques and how to keep your loved one from wandering.

Remove sharp or dangerous items. Go through the house and remove sharp objects, such as scissors or knives, that could pose a threat to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Store cleaning supplies. Another Alzheimer’s care solution is to get rid of or lock away any chemicals, cleaners or solvents that could be digested mistakenly.
Child-proof electrical outlets and check appliances. Some appliances may have to be removed depending on the hazard level they present to your loved one; others may just need to be replaced, such as purchasing an iron with an automatic shut-off mechanism. Decide if certain objects, such as an aquarium that combines water and electricity, could cause your loved one an issue at this point and, if so, remove it from the home or move it to a location where they can admire the fish, but not be able to touch the aquarium itself.
Prevent falls. To ensure Alzheimer’s safety precautions are in place, make sure rugs are slip-proof; double-faced carpet tape can be found in most carpeting and hardware stores, but once applied should still be checked periodically. Remove low-lying furnishings such as coffee tables, magazine racks, or small ottomans as sometimes these objects cannot be seen by those in the moderate to later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Take a walk. Go through the entire house and scrutinize what could possibly be a danger for someone who could easily lose his balance, noting sharp edges of furnishings or countertops that could potentially hurt an Alzheimer’s care patients who stumbles. Purchase cushioned edge protectors for these non-rounded corners; they should be available at most hardware stores.