Home Repair and Project Tips:
Living with an individual who is suffering with Alzheimer’s disease can be a daily battle for everyone, in part because it’s so important to make their surroundings safe, comfortable, and accessible. Because there are so many varying levels of the disease — and because it affects everyone differently — it’s important to make sure your home is altered to meet your loved one’s specific needs. It can be difficult to know exactly how to get started, however, and it can take time and money to get it done.
Fortunately, there are many DIY home repair and upgrade projects you can do to help your loved one stay safe and comfortable at home for as long as possible. Adding lighting, making sure the flooring is non-slip and has no trip hazards, and installing alarms that will help everyone stay safe are just a few of the ways you can change your home for the better.
Keep reading to find out more on how to make your home safer for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
Install Safety Alarms
Many individuals living with Alzheimer’s tend to wander, which can lead to anxiety for everyone in the home. Installing motion sensor alarms at the exits of your home will keep you alert no matter what else life throws at you and help your loved one stay safe at all times.
Add Some Lighting
Seniors of all ages can have vision issues, and when paired with the confusion and memory loss that Alzheimer’s can bring, vision impairment can lead to falls, accidental ingestion of toxic items, or other injuries. Adding lighting around the home can help your loved one see more clearly, so take a look around to get a feel for which areas in your house could use more illumination. Closets, the pantry, stairwells, and bathrooms should be well-lit at all times.
Remove Trip Hazards
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury for seniors, so it’s imperative that you look at the flooring in each room of your home to assess how safe it is. Trip hazards such as throw rugs should be removed, and the flooring without carpeting should be made slip-proof. Install rubber-backed mats in the bathroom to prevent falls, both in the shower and out. It’s also a good idea to make sure your loved one wears sturdy shoes even while indoors to help prevent falls.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is imperative in keeping your loved one safe. Make sure there are alarms in their bedroom and keep up-to-date fire extinguishers around the house. It might also be a good idea to install a hidden valve near the stove, especially if it’s gas-powered, so that your loved one can’t use it without you knowing. Consider hiring a handyman to help you carry out some of these upgrades. The average price for these services in Fairfax, VA is between $226 and $768.
Put Away Medications
It’s important to keep medications — both those belonging to your loved one and those belonging to you or other family members — put away or even locked up to prevent them from being taken irresponsibly. Many seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease have trouble understanding passing time and may not be able to keep track of when they should take their medicine, which can lead to them taking dangerous double doses.
Making your home a safe place for your loved one can take some time, so try to be patient and thorough. Talk to your loved one’s doctor to ensure that their needs are taken care of. With a good plan, you can make some changes to your home that will keep your loved one safe, happy, and healthy for years to come.