Dementia home safety checklist8/7/2023 You can also visit the VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care website, and learn more through the Home Safety for People with Memory Loss Resource.As the U.S. You can find more detailed information about making the home safer in the publication Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease from the National Institute on Aging. Swap the car keys for another set of keys, if your loved one is in the habit of carrying keys.ĭon’t leave the person alone in a parked car. If needed, take the car keys or even move the car where they can’t see it. Have the person tested by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.įind other methods of transport such as community services, friends, and family members. Gently talk with your loved one about the safety issues. Look for signs that he or she may need to stop driving, such as getting lost or ignoring traffic signs. Tell neighbors what to do if they see your loved one wandering. Have your loved one wear an ID bracelet with his or her name, address, and a phone number. Put a sign that says “Stop” on any door that leads outside. Put locks or alarms on windows and doors if needed. Lock up or hide scissors, knives, power tools, guns, and other weapons.Ĭover the pool, or put a fence and locked gate around it. Put matches and cigarette lighters out of reach.ĭon’t leave the person alone near a lit fireplace or candles. Put away electric blankets and heating pads. Put a warning sign on any appliance that gets hot (toaster, oven, hair dryer, water heater) that reads, “Don’t touch! This is hot!” Put safety knobs and an automatic shut-off switch on the stove. Put childproof latches on cabinets and guards on electrical outlets. Use nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. Make sure the person wears slippers or shoes with good grip. Put bells on small pets that the person may not see and trip over. Use nonskid rugs on uncarpeted surfaces, including bathroom and kitchen floors. Put a waterproof stool in the shower, and install a handheld shower. Put sturdy handrails wherever needed, such as in the bathroom. Put a carbon monoxide detector in areas with gas appliances, such as an oven or water heater. Some people with dementia may confuse these for food.Ĭheck the pantry and refrigerator for foods that have expired or gone bad. Hide things such as shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, and soap. Remove or lock up medicines, alcohol, cleaning products, detergents, paint thinner, gasoline, matches, and poisonous plants. Make sure your loved one always has a week’s supply of food, water, medicines, and medical supplies. Prepare for a fire, flood, hurricane, or other disaster, just in case. Keep emergency phone numbers and the home’s address near all phones. Have your loved one wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a medical alert wallet card. Give them a list of phone numbers of family members, caregivers, and medical services. Tell your loved one’s neighbors that he or she has dementia.Īsk who might be able to help in a crisis. But you can help prevent problems like these with some planning and preparation. And at some point, driving may no longer be safe for your loved one. A person with dementia is more at risk for accidents, falls, burns, poisoning, and other safety issues. They may also wander outside the home and get lost.
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