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If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, you may be concerned about their safety. While Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect each individual differently, symptoms such as confusion and disorientation, limitations in mobility or coordination, and memory loss pose serious safety concerns. The good news: There are many things you can do that can help to ensure your loved one’s safety, whether they currently reside alone, with family members, or in a senior living community. We’ve created this guide to help you understand the potential safety risks your loved one may be facing as well as concrete steps you can take to reduce those risks. In this guide, we’ll discuss:
Safety Risks Associated with DementiaThe symptoms of dementia may vary from person to person, but there are some common symptoms that can lead to safety concerns for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease, in particular, tends to progress through several stages with worsening severity of symptoms. For instance, a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience slips of the mind that most people write off as simple absent-mindedness, such as forgetting where they placed their keys or why they entered a room. In the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, however, the symptoms increase innumber and severity. A person may lose their sense of time and place, and they may forget how to perform everyday activities, such as boiling water for tea on the stove. A weakening of the senses (such as hearing, depth perception, temperature sensitivity, and vision) and trouble with balance can further compromise safety.
It’s not difficult to see how these symptoms can contribute to safety concerns. A person may begin to boil a pot of water and forget that they’ve done so, or they may put a dish in the oven and forget that they’ve turned it on, both of which create a fire risk. For people who are prone to wandering and confusion, they may begin to walk down the street and, if they lose their sense of time and place, forget how to return home – or, in some cases, even where their home is. Handling medications is another example of the potential safety risks associated with memory loss and other symptoms of dementia. Your loved one may forget to take their medication, or they may forget that they’ve already taken it and take it again, both of which can pose serious health consequences. Even a decline in vision and loss of balance alone can pose safety concerns, leading to slips and falls with a potential for injury. Falls are of particular concern for loved ones who reside alone. Of course, safety risks for people with dementia extend beyond the risk of physical injury. Impaired judgement and reasoning can make a person more likely to fall victim to scams. Given the many possible safety risks for people with dementia, it’s easy for caregivers and other loved ones to feel overwhelmed and concerned that, despite your best efforts to eliminate potential safety risks, you may have missed something that could result in a devastating accident for your loved one. In this guide, we’ll help to ease your fears and offer peace of mind by outlining the most important safety tips, strategies, and resources to help you keep your loved one safe. How to Approach Safety with a Loved OneMost people cherish their independence, so it’s not a big surprise that many older adults resist changes that make it feel as though they’re losing some of the independence they’ve enjoyed throughout their lives. That’s why approaching safety concerns with a loved one is a delicate task, but nonetheless, it’s an important one. The most important thing to remember is that you should keep your loved one as informed and as involved in the decision-making process as possible. By giving them a sense of ownership in making decisions, they’ll feel less like they’re being stripped of their independence. Talk to your loved one about your fears and ask how they’d like certain risks to be addressed if they become a real concern. Having these conversations before a crisis is crucial and allows you to develop a plan and know that your decisions will be in line with your loved one’s wishes, even if they are no longer able to actively engage in decision-making when the time comes to implement certain steps.
Preventing WanderingIf your loved one still ventures outside the home alone, it’s a good idea to have them carry a card in their wallet or purse that explains that they have dementia and includes the name and contact information for someone they (and you) trust. An ID bracelet or necklace with their name, phone number, and address is another option. If your loved one becomes lost or disoriented, this information can help a good Samaritan get your loved one back home promptly and safely. Some people with dementia become prone to wandering. If your loved one is entering the later stages of dementia and this has become a concern, there are several steps you can take proactively to reduce safety risks:
You should also be mindful of potential hazards outside the home, particularly if wandering is a possibility. For instance, make sure that any backyard pools, hot tubs, or other water features are secured. Close off and secure any decks or stairwells that could be dangerous if your loved one loses their balance as well. GPS technology is also quite beneficial for families caring for a loved one with dementia. Consider purchasing a mobile phone or smartphone with built-in GPS for your loved one. However, be aware that this safety precaution is only helpful if your loved one takes the device with them. Fortunately, there are other GPS devices that are worn, meaning they’re less likely to be left behind if your loved one goes for a walk or wanders away from the home. Smart watches, for instance, are one example, although GPS-enabled wearables take a variety of forms, from keychains to clip-on devices and even GPS-enabled soles for shoes. Not only can these types of devices let you know if your loved one exits a pre-defined safety perimeter, but they also make it possible to quickly and easily identify their current location. Instead of spending hours frantically searching, you’ll be able to go directly to their location to get them back home safely. In-Home Dementia Safety TipsIn-home safety is a top priority for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, whether they live alone, with other family members, or with a part-time or full-time caregiver. First, verify that your loved one knows what to do in case of emergency, such as a fire. If they’re unsure what to do, develop a plan together, including an escape plan that they can easily navigate – without assistance, if possible. Make sure that all smoke and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are operational every six months (or more often). Create clear, easily readable guides with emergency numbers and basic steps posted in readily visible areas, including by all phones. Make sure your loved one knows how to access each fire extinguisher in the home and is able to use it – if they have the physical strength and ability to do so. The U.S. Fire Administration offers a helpful guide to aid you in planning. Beyond emergency planning, though, there are many other precautions that can enhance the safety of the home, such as:
Outside the home is another area of concern. Make sure that sidewalks and other outdoor areas are well-lit, and as mentioned previously, ensure that pools and hot tubs are closed off and secured. Keep paths free of leaves and debris, and eliminate any over-hanging branches. Get rid of any poisonous plants, as well as any hazardous substances in the yard or garage, such as gasoline. Nutrition: Healthy Eating Tips to Overcome Dementia ChallengesYou should be concerned with your loved one’s nutritional intake. Getting the right nutrients is key to maintaining health, and deficiencies can contribute to fatigue and other symptoms that can impact their well-being. However, people with dementia may have challenges with eating, such as difficulties swallowing, making it even more difficult for caregivers to ensure proper dietary intake. One of the biggest issues facing people with dementia is dehydration. They may be unable to recognize that they’re thirsty, or simply forget to drink enough water. But dehydration can cause headaches, increased confusion, and other issues such as constipation or a urinary tract infection, which can exacerbate the symptoms of dementia. Make sure that your loved one can easily access water when needed, or keep a pitcher or glass of water next to their bed or chair. Weight loss is another common concern for people with dementia. Dementia-related symptoms and challenges that may contribute to weight loss include:
In some cases, your loved one may simply forget to eat. If your loved one is experiencing these challenges, enlisting the help of a dietician or nutritionist, or in the case of chewing and swallowing difficulties, a speech therapist, can be helpful. You should also consult your loved one’s healthcare provider or pharmacist to ask if any of their current medications may be causing loss of appetite as a side effect. There are several ways to help ensure that your loved one is getting adequate nutrition, such as:
Try to keep meal routines as consistent as possible, such as having breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time and in the same place each day. Don’t rush them, and offer cues when needed. Sometimes, a simple cue is all that’s needed to remind a loved one to continue with their meal. If they are having difficulty with chewing or swallowing, learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, serve foods that are easy to chew and swallow (softer foods such as yogurt and applesauce work well), and cut foods into bite-sized pieces. If your loved one has difficultly consuming larger meals, serve several smaller meals throughout the day. If coordination is a challenge, serve finger foods to allow your loved one to maintain their sense of independence. Keep meals simple, and distinguish foods from one another on the plate. If your loved one is preparing their own meals, be sure to check the temperature, as some people with dementia have diminished temperature sensitivity. Finally, make meal times enjoyable by joining them or making sure that another family member or caregiver is present during meals. Driving with Dementia: Safety TipsDriving is often a major sticking point for people who have been diagnosed with dementia. Because they wish to remain independent as long as possible, and may be struggling with accepting their challenges, they may resist the idea of handing over the car keys. If you do have the opportunity to have a conversation early, soon after a loved one has been diagnosed and before the disease has progressed significantly, driving should be one of the items on your discussion list. Ask them how they’d like to handle the situation when it becomes unsafe for them to continue driving. Sadly, due to the progressive nature of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, a person with the disease will eventually become unable to drive. As a caregiver or loved one, it’s up to you to carefully monitor their abilities and watch for warning signs that it may be time for your loved one to discontinue driving. Warning signs may include:
If it’s not quite time to hand over the keys entirely but you’re still worried about your loved one’s safety, consider making a temporary compromise with an agreement that restricts driving to certain conditions such as:
If you’re unsure about your loved one’s safety on the roads, or if they’re resistant to any restrictions, talk to their healthcare provider. A physician may be able to make recommendations based on your loved one’s clinical status. If a loss of independence is your loved one’s primary concern, consider other transportation options and services, such as:
For more information on transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities, these resources can be helpful for getting a transportation plan in place based on the resources available in your area – before it’s time for your loved one to stop driving: Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may offer a local transportation service for qualifying seniors and people with disabilities, such as accessible van transportation to senior centers, healthcare appointments, and more. Being prepared with an alternative transportation plan can often ease your loved one’s concerns about giving up their independence, so find out what services are available locally before starting the conversation. Traveling with Dementia: Safety TipsTraveling can be particularly challenging for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, particularly if they frequently become disoriented. Changes in environment can lead to confusion, which for many dementia sufferers, is quite frustrating. If your loved one experiences severe disorientation with changes to the environment, it may be advisable to minimize travel or stick to familiar places. In general, however, there’s no need to completely eliminate travel for a person with dementia – it just requires some careful planning.
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