Staying in the home can be extremely beneficial to seniors with dementia. The familiarity and comfort of surroundings, as well as the interaction with loved ones and beloved pets, can help to mitigate difficult dementia behaviors and sometimes slow the progression of the disease. However, staying in the home also presents certain safety issues that are not present in other settings such as nursing homes.

How Dementia Affects Safety

Dementia causes both physical and mental changes in seniors. These changes may make certain actions and tasks more difficult and dangerous for seniors. Dementia may cause seniors to become disoriented and fall or to have trouble moving around. Dementia may also impair judgment and sensory functions. This can make it difficult for seniors to sense temperature changes, hear, or see potential hazards. Dementia may also cause changes in behavior and awareness, so seniors may have trouble recognizing familiar places or understanding dates and times.

Safety issues caused or worsened by dementia may include:

• Wandering outside of the home due to suspicion or fear
• Forgetting to turn off appliances
• Forgetting to eat, drink, or take medications
• Overdosing on medications due to forgotten administrations
• Tripping over objects due to changes in vision
• Forgetting how to use appliances, tools, or furniture
• Falling due to balance complications
• Being burned because of the inability to sense temperature changes in water or food
• Improper use of weapons

Dementia Home Safety Assessment

It is important that a caregiver assess the home in order to prevent injuries to seniors and others. When assessing the home, caregivers should try to look through the eyes of someone who is afflicted with dementia to spot potential hazards. Caregivers should also be mindful that extreme changes are not made that may upset seniors. It may take outside input and careful consideration to decide what changes to make within the home that will increase safety without upsetting seniors.

Safety precautions that may help to avoid injuries to seniors with dementia may include:

• Locking hazardous areas
• Placing hidden locks on outside doors that may be difficult for seniors to see
• Removing weapons, tools, and appliances that have the potential to cause injury
• Reducing clutter
• Placing medications out of reach and monitoring usage
• Ensuring adequate lighting in all fundamental areas

Home Care Assistance Advantages

Having a professional home caregiver assist with the needs of seniors with dementia can improve safety issues substantially. If dementia is in advanced stages, home caregivers can provide 24 hour supervision that can increase safety while also providing comforting support. Home caregivers can also make sure that seniors are eating, drinking, and taking medications as prescribed.