Maintaining a Safe, Dementia-friendly Environment
When modifying your home environment, keep it familiar, striking a balance between safety and independence. Too many restrictions can make it difficult for her to take part in daily activities, and can seriously affect her self-esteem.
Keep in mind some of the changes that occur with dementia: decreased balance and reaction time; visual-perceptual problems; physical limitations that make it more difficult to walk; memory; judgment; and insight. Also keep in mind that you are more likely to be tired, and feel under pressure, making it more difficult for you to anticipate risk and prevent accidents.
Adapt the task to the person’s current abilities. For example, a person who enjoyed wood-working may no longer be able to use power tools but may still be able to nail, sand and paint in the workroom. Be aware of changes as they happen and re-evaluate the need to make further changes to adapt to his abilities.
Some areas of a home may have more risks than others. Pay extra attention in the garage, work room, basement and outdoor areas.
Take a few minutes to complete the following checklist on home safety. Keep in mind that, as the disease progresses, you may need to update your responses.
Tips on making your environment safe
Every person with dementia will have different requirements for keeping a safe environment. Keep in mind some of the changes that occur with dementia:
- Decreased balance and reaction time
- Visual-perceptual problems
- Difficulty walking
- Memory impairment
- Decrease in judgment abilities
- Less insight into environment and situations
- To provide a safe home environment:
- Focus on prevention: Take care to look around and see potential hazards such as carpets that may cause a fall, poisons that are easily
- accessible, a gas-fire stove top, small objects that could choke and doors that could lock accidentally and trap someone inside.
- Be patient and slow down: try not to rush someone with dementia.
- Simplify routines: personal care can become more challenging for someone with dementia, so avoid accidents by breaking down complicated procedures into simpler, step-by-step processes.
- Have an emergency plan: Be ready in case of emergency by keeping a working fire extinguisher nearby, a fully stocked first-aid kit on-hand and a list of emergency numbers by the phone.
