Remove tripping hazards

You may be surprised at how many items we have in the house that can become an issue.

Remove all throw rugs

• Front and Back door, inside and out

• Bathroom rugs (even if they are “non slip”)they have an edge and don’t give away

• Bedroom rug

• Remove table cloths. When hands are used to “push up” to stand from the table after sitting this can cause slipping.

• Keep sheets and blankets from hanging down to far on the Plwd side to keep feet from getting tangled when getting out of bed

• De-clutter as much as you can. The less items the pLwd has to process the better it is for them.

• Increase lighting. Dementia reduces the field of vision as it progresses and makes it even harder for them to see to move around.

• Remove non-essential furniture to reduce injury from “running into” things

  Remove breakables

• Remove glass from the bathroom (drinking cups, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser)

• Install grab bars, if possible

• Use toilet seat with grip bars

• install shower chair and extension shower wand (removable and easier to wash hair

  Labeling

  Depending on the level of progression of the disease you may or may not want to do this until it’s necessary. This step allows the pLwd to maintain some independence when they cannot recognize items or remember where they are normally located. Using a permanent marker and construction tape keeps this a simple process.

• label kitchen cabinets as to their contents. such as: drinking cups, Forks, Spoons, bowls, etc. You may want to create a special cabinet with these items clearly placed on separate shelves just for them. Be sure to keep the choices simple with one or two to choose from.

• label bedroom dresser drawers: socks, pants, shirts, underwear, etc.

• label bathroom drawers: toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, soap, etc.

• label food in the refrigerator. Keep it simple. Example: “meat-turkey”, “bread for turkey”, “juice”. Label the Fruit drawer- “Fruit”, etc.

• It may also help to add pictures of the items above the name

  Safety

• Install door alarms that beep when door is opened

• install *nanny camera if you work during the day or invest in home device that alerts you if there is a fall or other emergency issue

• check exterior doors to the house, including garage door and make sure they can’t be locked accidently leaving a person locked out

• have the pLwd wear an alert bracelet

• If the kitchen is a concern you can either turn off the oven at main breaker, unplug it or remove the knobs to prevent use

• set their phone so that an incoming call from “unknown” number goes directly to voice mail to avoid spammers

• If they are driving, place a GPS monitor app on their phone.

  Add Color

• dementia affects a person’s field of vision. First the peripheral is reduced, they don’t see you coming from the rear or side. It progresses until it becomes like looking through a monachal (one eye). Colorful objects will attract the eye and possibly make the pLwd to become interested and want to investigate resulting in stimulation and interaction with the object and those around them, possibly. It may not work with every person.

• Tie colorful scarves along the backs of chairs if possible. Example: the eating area could be a specific color and the bathroom another. It’s possible they will associate the color with the task, possibly.

• Providing a box of scarves for them to choose which ones “pop” out at them would be a good activity for you both to engage in together or they could choose while you are cleaning or doing another activity within eye sight.

  Be sure objects you don’t mind being ruined. Thrift stores or Goodwill are good places to find inexpensive scarves, fabric or ribbon.