April 24, 2024

50 Tips to Help Keep Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients Safe in Your Home — AARP:

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Falls:

Given that “people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia see the world in an unfamiliar, often confusing way… Everyday observations can be frightening — an oil spot can be perceived as a hole, shadows may be seen as sinister beings, a stranger may appear in the mirror.”

Fall Prevention Caregiver Checklist:

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Home Safety: How Well Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?

1. Stairways, steps and walkways
2. Floor surfaces
3. Driveways and garage.
4. Windows and doors
5. Appliances — kitchen and bath
6. Lighting and ventilation 
7. Electrical outlets/switches and alarms

Big picture — Lots of little and big details:

• Look for obvious falls risks - like uneven surfaces, toys, animals, dim lighting, stairs without rails. Throw rugs with curly corners. Wet floors. Remove clutter.
• Edges of steps or level changes — mark with neon tape.
• Fenced in yard and doorway alarms to prevent wandering.
• Mark clear glass doors with decals to prevent — being run into.
• Notice changes in your loved one with dementia — it IS a progressive disease. Could be a change in vision, change in medication, musculoskeletal pain. Report falls to PCP.
• Monitor medications - especially after recent changes for side effects affecting balance and fall risk.
• Paint walls a light color — easier for folks with dementia to negotiate. 
• Remove big wall mirrors that would be visually confusing.
• Illuminate wall light switches so they are easy to find.
• Good lighting goes a LONG way.

Bathroom: consider these modifications

• Automate faucets — motion activated — so that they turn off if left running 

• Shower or tub with bath chair or bench 

• Have grab bars installed in the tub or shower area. Temporary, function grab bars are not sturdy or safe

• Raise toilet seat height, add arm rests or support handles

• To prevent electrical shock — have GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) on bathroom outlets

Bedrooms —  consider these adaptations:

• Baby monitor

• Fall detection monitors 

• Access in and out of bed safely (e.g. bed handle)

• Motion and light activated night lights that plug into socket (no battery replacement needed)

Kitchen — consider these adaptations:

• Check the refrigerator for old, moldy food

• Check refrigerator for enough edible food

• Disconnect garbage disposal or other electrical equipment that could be harmful

• Make stove knobs more difficult to accidentally or unknowingly turn on

General mobility — consider these adaptations:

• Recliners with motorized lift and recliner features

Embrace technology — consider these adaptations:

• Alarmed doorways, floor mats, seat cushions; motion detectors

Have medications checked for fall risk: (From Dr. Kernisan)

• https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/preventing-falls-10-types-of-medications-to-review/ - Click here for full story!
• “Medications are among the most common causes of increased fall risk in older people.” per Dr. Kernisan.

3 categories of medication that should be reviewed to prevent falls:

• Medicines that affect the brain (psychoactive) — like sedatives
• Medications that affect blood pressure (making it too low)
• Medications that affect blood sugars (making it too low, also)

De-prescribing: How to Be on Less Medication for Healthier Aging 

• https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/deprescribing-how-to-be-on-less-medication-in-aging/

*Ask your physician to review you or your family member’s medications as described above.

Take a minute and “Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults” from the CDC

• https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf  

— Susan Musicant, Injury Prevention Coordinator at DayBreak

Email: susan@daybreakac.org

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of

elders and family caregivers who selflessly support them.

DayBreak is committed to empowering elders and supporting caregivers.

If you know an older adult in need of our care and coordination services, or a family caregiver seeking assistance, please encourage them to reach out to us at:

510-834-8314