Alzheimer's and other dementias: Making your home safe

Content provided by Healthwise

Confusion, wandering, and memory loss can lead to accidents and injuries. Help protect the person with dementia by making your home safe.

Keep rooms uncluttered, with clear walkways around furniture. Don't move furniture around because the person may become confused. Remove throw rugs to prevent tripping.
Use locks on doors and cupboards. Lock up knives, scissors, medications, cleaning supplies, and other dangerous objects and substances.
Use hidden switches or controls for the stove, thermostat, water heater, and other appliances, and use child-proofing devices. Assess the risk of allowing the person to continue cooking.
Consider using carpet to help absorb noise and to prevent slipping.
Install handrails, tub mats, and other assistive devices in the bathroom. Use bright, nonslip treads in the bathtub to prevent falls and make it easier for the person to see the bottom of the tub (some people with dementia have depth perception problems).
Provide adequate lighting, especially at night. Put night-lights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms.
Lower the hot water temperature setting to or lower to avoid burns.

Credits

Author	Sabra L. Katz-Wise
Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology
Last Updated	November 15, 2006

Last updated:	November 15, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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