Home Safety for Persons With Alzheimer's

Years ago when my father first exhibited signs of the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease in 1980, there was not near enough known about the disease, or how to care for someone with it. Thank goodness that today's technology has come to the rescue with improvements through research, and its lead to people being able to stay home for longer periods of time with a close caregiver. Read about some of the tips that I used on making the house safer, and some new products that will help you do that for your loved one.

People with Alzheimer's gradually loose their cognitive mental functions. Dementia sets in, and eventually you will have to secure your home, just like you would with a small child. Persons with Alzheimer's do not mean to get themselves into trouble, but you would be surprised how they turn common objects into weapons that hurt themselves and other people. Once, my father threw an engraved keepsake at another person; something I never imagined could be a problem. The list below has some tips and ideas that you can use to keep your loved ones and your home safe.

• Secure cabinets and drawers. Use child proof safety locks on all drawers and cabinets doors. Especially cabinets where you store household cleaners, detergents, knives, etc. Even the safest item when used in the wrong way, can be harmful to your loved one. My father was found confusing an anti inflammatory cream for a skin rash, and a strong cream for arthritis. He broke out and had to be taken to the emergency room for a visit. There are a thousand different ways that someone with Alzheimer's can be hurt from common household chemicals, medicines, and everyday devices found in your home, such as knives and cork screws for wine bottles, as well as glass objects like keepsakes and picture frames.

• Secure electrical outlets. All electrical wall sockets should be installed with child proof covers. You can buy plastic plugs to put in the outlet that cannot be removed by children or aging adults. I moved heavy furniture to limit access, and used covers too. All types of objects can be stuck in them, and a severe injury or possible death can be caused by electrocution.

• Secure appliances. In some cases it is necessary, especially if your loved one is very mobile, to disconnect items such as trash compactors, and limit access to stoves. My father eventually did not know what the trash compactor was used for, so we had to finally disconnect it to protect his safety. Many Alzheimer's patients have been known to stick arms and feet into the units of trash compactors or sink disposals. The use of a stove is dangerous as well, so we limited access to burners by disconnecting all but one. Stove covers can be used too because it hides the tops, and it does not draw their attention. Often curiosity is the cause of dangerous behavior so if you can detract their attention you will be much better off. The interior unit was locked with the cleaning arm at all times, and you can buy strong magnets that make it very difficult for them to pull open. If necessary, chain - lock it so it will not come open.

• Secure doors. Another area to limit access and a necessity too, is to buy lock sets that are of standard household quality, and to purchases ones for the front and back doors that require a key to get in and a key to get out. If you have a sliding glass door, purchase a safety rod at your local hardware improvement store. I tried using just a metal rod, but it was quickly removed by my father. The importance of a safety sliding glass door rod was evident when he fell out the door, when the deck had been removed for a low step, low to the ground patio.

• Secure interior doors. As an extra precaution make sure you replace bedroom and bathroom door handles or knobs, with ones that require a key access.

Today there are some other neat items that will help you keep your loved one safe inside the home. Go online with the Internet and check out some products at http://www.store.yahoo.com. They carry some good things to help you keep your loved one safe.