Alzheimer’s disease affects your senior over time, but you and she both may start to feel unsafe fairly quickly after she’s diagnosed. Learning as much as you can about safety and Alzheimer’s disease is really important and home care providers can help with that. As part of National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, sit down with your senior and figure out where you can do more around safety.
Put Fall Prevention at the Top of Your List
Fall prevention is a huge issue for every aging adult, but it can be especially important for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Your elderly family member’s brain doesn’t work the same way that it used to work, so she might find it more difficult to navigate around clutter and other obstacles. Hand rails allow her to follow a safer path.
Double Check Problem Areas
Some aging adults have an affinity for certain problem spots, such as using knives in an unsafe manner or mistaking dangerous chemicals for safer items. It’s important that you lock up or otherwise secure these sorts of items so that your elderly family member can’t get hurt. Something else to consider is checking the temperature setting on the hot water heater to help her avoid scalding herself.
Guard Against Issues with Fire
Fire can be a scary situation for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Your elderly family member may not seem to understand the risks anymore and that makes loose matches or lighters a big problem. Make sure that you check the fire and smoke alarms regularly and keep anything that could cause a fire in a safe location.
Consider Locks in Later Stages
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, it can be increasingly difficult to keep your senior safe from certain situations. Wandering can be a huge issue, as can other items that she was content to leave alone in earlier stages. Locks are something you might want to consider, even though you might feel bad using them. Child-safe locks are usually a good option, particularly for items that you need to use regularly.
Another way that you can help to ensure your elderly family member’s safety is to hire home care providers. They can help you to spot potential safety issues and be there for your elderly family member as her needs change throughout the day. They can do all of this while also offering companionship to your senior so that she’s not feeling lonely.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Home Care in St. Pete Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
