Essential Safety Measures For In-Home Memory Care

Caring for someone who has dementia or Alzheimer's disease can be challenging, and providing in-home care is no exception. As a caregiver, you need to remember that your loved one is prone to wandering and may also be unable to properly use everyday objects.

To ensure the safety of your loved one while providing in-home memory care, here are some tips you can follow.

Reduce Clutter and Hazards 

When it comes to providing in-home memory care, reducing clutter and hazards is an essential safety tip that should be adhered to. Clutter can be easily missed when helping someone with memory loss, leading them to trip and fall over hidden objects. This can be a major safety issue, and it's important to always keep pathways uncluttered. 

 Additionally, sharp edges or items with small pieces should be removed from the home as soon as possible so that these items won't cause injury and distract from the overall goal of achieving a safe living environment.

You can minimize falls by ensuring the home is free of tripping hazards, including carpets and rugs. These should be firmly attached to the floor to prevent slipping or shifting. Furthermore, any furniture should be securely anchored so that it won't move if bumped into. 

Install Security Features

Installing security features is an important safety measure for those providing in-home memory care.

One of the most fundamental security tools to have in place is a monitored door lock, which ensures that no one can enter the home uninvited and will alert family members if the door is unlocked. This can further be supplemented with window locks to prevent people from leaving the house without supervision.

In addition to preventing unauthorized entries, security systems can also send out alerts should someone attempt to leave home due to confusion or disorientation caused by their memory impairment. This prevents the individual from wandering off without knowing where they are going, reducing their risk of harm.

Furthermore, these systems often come with tracking features so that family members can easily locate their loved one should they get lost.

Stay Alert and Educated

You need to stay alert and educated about dementia and Alzheimer's disease so that you can recognize any red flags or changes in behavior sooner rather than later. Make sure to keep up with regular checkups from their primary doctor and always be aware of any new medications prescribed that could possibly worsen their symptoms or cause confusion.

Additionally, it's helpful to remain aware of how much stress they are under daily so that you can reduce it where necessary. For instance, you may want to reduce the amount of noise or distractions in their environment if they seem to be easily flustered by them.