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Slide 1: Dementia Safety In Your Loved One’s Home
Slide 2: Why are dementia safety precautions necessary? • Memory loss and confusion causes impaired judgment • Examples: ▫ May not remember how to use a band aid ▫ Leaving the house without a coat on ▫ Eating food that has grown moldy • Those in the early stages of dementia require supervision • Home adaptations can improve peace of mind for caregivers
Slide 3: Doing a Home Safety Assessment • Occupational therapists are trained to perform home safety assessments • Possible hazards: ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Falls Consuming toxins Injuries from sharp objects Fire • Caregivers should consider home adaptations similar to child-proofing a home for young children
Slide 4: Suggested Adaptations • Remove old newspapers, grocery receipts, magazines, bags and other clutter • Remove candles, matches, sharp knives, other dangerous tools • Remove toxins (e.g. bleach, cough syrup) • Disable microwave and electric stove • Provide shower seat, grab bars • Add night lights with night sensors • Regularly check food for freshness • Remove small rugs
Slide 5: Creating a Home Environment that Promotes Independence • Removal of clutter increases safety and decreases the chance of fire • Makes it easier to find important items ▫ Keys ▫ Wallet ▫ Eyeglasses • Fill refrigerator with only ready-to-eat foods ▫ Hard-boiled eggs ▫ Tuna fish sandwiches ▫ Cut up vegetables
Slide 6: Tips for Promoting Independence • Set television to favorite station ▫ Tape over all buttons except on/off switch ▫ Highlight that switch with bright nail polish • Preset number one on telephone to dial a “helper” friend or relative ▫ Highlight the number with bright nail polish ▫ Place a sign next to the phone that reads, “Push number 1 for help.” • Remove all remote controls • Buy touch lamps • Provide a digital clock
Slide 7: Routines and Visual Cues • Memory loss makes it difficult to learn new tasks • Familiar routines = greater success • Visual cues can provide needed reminders ▫ Note next to the sink: “Use soap.” ▫ Laying a towel next to the sink will prompt use • Visual reminders will help individuals in the early stages of memory loss to maintain independence
Slide 8: All Senior Homes • All Senior Homes is a resource for seniors and families searching for housing and care services • Visit http://www.allseniorhomes.com for more information on senior care and senior housing • Information in this presentation provided by occupational therapist Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR