Creating an Alzheimer's & Dementia Friendly Home

[Lisa]

I wanted to share some useful tips I found at Seniors For Living to help make any home a safe and comfortable one for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Broken down room by room, here is what they suggest:

Kitchen

• Lock up cleaning supplies
• Turn off electricity to the garbage disposal
• Hide knives and other utensils
• Store small appliances (toaster, blender)
• Unplug larger appliances (microwave)
• Remove knobs from the stove; hook up stove to a hidden gas valve or electric switch
• Keep fire extinguisher nearby
• Clean out refrigerator regularly


Bathroom

• Set water temperature to 120 degrees or less
• Install grab bars
• Add textured stickers to slippery surfaces
• Supervise the use of hair dryers, curling irons, and electric and hand razors
• Remove locks from the bathroom door
• Take dangerous items out of medicine chests

Bedroom

• Avoid using electric blankets
• Monitor use of heating pads
• Install night lights between the bedroom and bathroom

Garage

• Lock up hand and power tools (drills, axes, saws, picks)
• Limit access to large equipment (lawn mower, weed trimmer, snow blower)
• Lock up poisonous chemicals (paints, fertilizers)

Throughout the home

• Disguise outdoor locks or install dead bolts
• Remove or tape down throw rugs and carpeting
• Apply colored stickers to large windows and sliding glass doors
• Remove poisonous plants
• Create an even level of lighting near doorways, stairways and between rooms
• Remove objects that block walking paths
• Remove and disable guns or other weapons

Outdoors

• Disconnect gas from gas grill
• Lock fence gates
• Supervise the person, especially in areas that are not enclosed
• Put away car keys

If you are a dementia or Alzheimer's caregiver, what suggestions do you have for making a safe and happy home? What has worked/hasn't worked for you in your home? What about those of you who are suffering with dementia or Alzheimer's - what has helped you, or what adjustments would you like made?

More Reading!
Read Part 1: Setting a Firm Foundation
Read Part 2: A Successful Action Plan
Read Part 3: Meaningful Activities

[amanda]

Thanks for sharing this, Lisa. I like that this list is like a tour through the home and that it covers so many things that you wouldn't necessarily think to check or fix to make the home safer. I'm curious what other people have tried in their own homes to help their friend or relative with Alzheimer's or dementia. I would think that, since Alz and dementia are degenerative - there might be different stages of making life at home safer and happier. I'd be interested in hearing what caregivers did first and where they went from there. Caregivers, what did you do when your loved one start needing help with tasks and what safety/lifestyle changes did you start with? What did you find helpful? What did you learn along the way?