| Individuals with memory loss and confusion are at risk | | | | Independence |
| of harming themselves because their judgment is | | | | The removal of clutter not only increases dementia |
| impaired, so dementia safety precautions are vital. | | | | safety and decreases the chance of fire, but will |
| They may not remember how to use a band aid, go | | | | make it easier for the person to find important items |
| outside without wearing a winter coat or may eat | | | | such as keys, eyeglasses and wallet. Fill the |
| food that has grown moldy. Individuals in the early | | | | refrigerator with only ready to eat foods such as |
| stages of Alzheimer's disease or other types of | | | | hard boiled eggs, tuna fish sandwiches and cut up |
| dementia begin to require supervision in order to be | | | | vegetables. Technology creates an undue frustration |
| safe. At the same time certain home adaptations can | | | | for individuals with memory loss. However, here are a |
| increase peace of mind for caregivers. | | | | few tips that helped my mother: |
| Doing a Home Safety Assessment | | | | • Set the television to her favorite station and |
| Occupational therapists are trained to perform home | | | | tape over all buttons except the on/off switch. |
| safety assessments for dementia safety with special | | | | Highlight that switch with bright orange nail polish. |
| attention to factors that might contribute to falls, | | | | • Preset number one on the telephone to dial a |
| consuming toxins and injuries from sharp objects or | | | | "helper" friend or relative. Then highlight the number |
| fire. Caregivers should also think about adapting a | | | | using nail polish and place a sign next to the phone |
| loved one's home much in the same way parents | | | | that says "Push number 1 for help". |
| with young children child proof. Here are some | | | | • Remove all remote controls |
| adaptations that I made when my mother was living | | | | • Buy lamps that go on and off when touched |
| alone in a Senior Housing building before relocating to | | | | • Provide a digital clock that includes the date |
| an assisted living residence with memory impairment | | | | and day of the week. Digital clocks are easier to |
| services: | | | | interpret than face clocks. |
| • Removed old newspapers, grocery receipts, | | | | Routines and Visual Cues |
| magazines, bags and other clutter. | | | | Individuals with memory loss have a great deal of |
| • Removed candles, matches, sharp knives and | | | | difficulty learning new tasks. However, they will |
| other dangerous tools. | | | | probably have greater success continuing familiar |
| • Removed toxins including bleach which has a | | | | routines such as putting dishes in the sink after meals |
| container that looks like a gallon of milk and cough | | | | or sequencing steps to get dressed. Caregivers |
| syrup which smells like candy. | | | | should try to maintain the familiar routines as best as |
| • Disabled the microwave and electric stove. | | | | possible. Sometimes visual cues such as note next to |
| • Provided a shower seat (the apartment already | | | | the sink that says "Use soap" may provide the cue |
| had grab bars). | | | | needed to perform a routine action. Laying the towel |
| • Added night lights with sensors that turned | | | | on the sink counter also prompts the person to use |
| them on at night. | | | | it. Setting up the environment with visual reminders |
| • Regularly checked food for freshness. | | | | will help the person in the early stages of memory |
| • Removed small rugs. | | | | loss to remain as independent as possible. |
| Creating a Home Environment that Promotes | | | | |