People with dementia reach a point in life where they may not always be able to make safe decisions. Dementia symptoms include memory loss and difficulty with depth perception and reasoning. As these worsen, you’ll need to adjust your senior loved one’s care plan to make sure he or she stays out of harm’s way. Ideally, you should always aim to stay one step ahead of your loved one’s needs, since the time to take action with these strategies is before an injury or accident occurs.
Secure Dangerous Tools & Other Items
Your loved one’s enjoyment of activities such as woodworking or sewing may need to be modified. Seniors with dementia may suddenly forget how to use dangerous equipment safely, or they may mistake toxic chemicals for things they can ingest. While your loved one might still be able to do some of his or her favorite activities, securing dangerous items makes it easier to provide supervision that prevents injuries.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care service. Rocklin families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Monitor Medication Use
Seniors with dementia may accidentally take more than one dose of their medicine or mistake pills for candy. Skipping doses is also dangerous if your loved one has memory loss. Medication monitoring includes strategies such as locking medicine up in a safe place or using a special dispenser to take the right amount. Even with electronic dispensers, you’ll still need to appoint someone to oversee your loved one’s medication routine.
Install Adequate Lighting
Shadows and dark spaces create a fall risk for seniors, and people with dementia may also react strongly to images they cannot fully understand. Make sure to install lighting in any dark areas of your loved one’s home. Ideally, it should be adjustable so you can set it at just the right level to increase safety without disrupting your loved one’s mood.
Provide Visual Aids
A senior with dementia will often respond to well-known symbols that serve as warnings. For instance, an image of a stop sign might deter your loved one from going out the front door. You can also put a poison symbol on a cabinet as an additional safeguard when you don’t want your loved one to access dangerous items.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Set Up Safeguards against Elder Abuse
Your loved one’s home should be a safe place where no one can cause him or her harm. Seniors with dementia are often targeted by criminals who seek to take advantage of aging adults with cognitive challenges. Try to surround your loved one with as many trustworthy people as possible. Having a caregiver answer the phone and monitor visitors can prevent abuse from happening.
Plan for Supervision during Risky Activities
Seniors with dementia should still be encouraged to live active lives. Your loved one can still cook, go outside to work in the garden, and do many other things with proper supervision. If you cannot be there, appoint a home caregiver to take over. This allows your loved one to continue to use his or her skills while making the most of the senior years.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Rocklin families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (916) 226-3737 today.