3 Things You Can Do as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver

Being a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s entails a great deal of work and planning. Caregivers need to ensure their homes are safe for their loved ones, especially because patients with this type of dementia tend to wander, have difficulty sleeping, and can become confused easily. Preparing and improving your home as early as possible will help you provide better care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

1. Set to Work as Soon as Your Loved One is Diagnosed

When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, immediately set to work preparing your home to make it safe for her. Many times, Alzheimer’s patients’ minds and bodies are affected by the disease, and they have difficulty using their judgment, having a sense of time and place, maintaining their balance, and using their senses as they once did. They also easily become confused, suspicious, or fearful. The Alzheimer’s Association points out that your loved one’s abilities will change as the disease progresses: the sooner you prepare for those changes, better.

To make your home as safe as possible for your loved one as she experiences these difficulties, take precautions to secure hazardous areas, equipment, and supplies, such as garages or basements that contain chemicals and cleaning supplies and kitchens that contain knives and other sharp utensils and appliances like blenders.

Organize your home so that each item has its own space, and store potentially hazardous items in locked cabinets or drawers. It’s also important to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they have fresh batteries and are in working order. Post emergency numbers near your phone or program them into your smartphone. Also, make sure you have working fire extinguishers in your garage, kitchen, and basement.

As you prepare your home for your loved one with Alzheimer’s, you also should help her plan for the future before her disease progresses. Have a conversation with her about her end-of-life wishes and her care expectations, especially in regards to her changing needs as her disease progresses. While it may be difficult to have this discussion, it is important to do so while your loved one is able so you can understand her perspective and make arrangements before your emotions take over later. You both will have peace of mind knowing that you will honor her wishes and do your best to provide loving care for her as long as possible.

2. Improve Bathroom Safety

Bathrooms are dangerous places because of slippery surfaces, electrical appliances, and hot water. The Mayo Clinic offers several tips for improving bathroom safety, including installing grab bars by the toilet and bathtub and in the shower. Also, install non-skid strips or mats in the tub and shower and on the floor near the tub, shower, toilet, and sink to help prevent falls.

Reduce your water heater’s temperature to below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns, and place a soft faucet cover on the bathtub spigot to prevent injury if your loved one falls. Put childproof latches on bathroom cabinets and drawers to prevent your loved one from accessing cleaning products, hygiene products, razors, and electrical appliances.

3. Ensure You Have Adequate Lighting

Alzheimer’s patients need adequate lighting to help prevent falls; in fact, people with the disease have an increased risk of falling because of vision challenges and issues with balance. One study found that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease are three times more likely to have hip fractures than those without the disease. Thus, you need to take steps to prevent your loved one from falling. In addition to installing non-skid strips in the bathroom, ensure you have adequate lighting throughout your home.

Bright lights in bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens are a must, as are nightlights throughout the house to illuminate dark areas at night. Also, add lighting to stairways to help prevent falls.

As an Alzheimer’s caregiver, you must secure your home and make it safe for your loved one. You will provide better care when you know your home is safe for her. Begin preparing your home as soon as she is diagnosed with the disease, take safety precautions in your bathroom, and install adequate lighting throughout your home.

KeyWords: Chronic Pain, iPain, International Pain Foundation, Alzheimer, Caregiver, Pain

3 Things You Can Do as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver to Take Better Care of Your Loved One by Jim Vogel