Tips for Home Safety for People With Dementia
by Admin
Posted on 12-04-2024 12:47 PM
For most older adults, the idea of aging in place and staying at home for as long as possible is an attractive one. In fact, a march 2023 survey of 2,000 adults ages 55 and older conducted by u. S. News & world report found that 93% of respondents felt aging in place was an important goal for them. However, for seniors who’ve been diagnosed with alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, finding the balance between safety and support at home can be a challenging prospect.
Alzheimer's and dementia are progressive neurological diseases that slowly rob people of their ability to care for themselves.
As the disease progresses, the special challenges of alzheimer’s require an extra level of safety and security, especially as the person may start wandering or walking away from home without any idea of where they’re going or how to get back, says wendy wells-chanampa, dementia care educator and author of “the unseen gifts of alzheimer’s disease and dementia. ” “it only takes one time of trying to walk to the grocery store for something tragic to happen,” she points out. Because of the additional safety concerns of people with memory impairment, it’s very important to find caregivers, whether in an alzheimer’s care center or not, who are specifically trained in dementia care, says nataly rubinstein, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of alzheimer’s care consultants, who has helped thousands of clients find the appropriate care. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1153228543176567333&q=%22memory+care%22&hl=en&as_sdt=2006
National Centers, Local Resources
If you have trouble coping with your loved one’s agitation and aggression, contact a trusted family member for support. You should also contact your loved one’s doctor to let them know about the increased aggression. Since aggression can indicate that alzheimer’s disease and dementia are progressing, the doctor may be able to prescribe medications or recommend other treatment options. It can be difficult to cope with agitation and aggression, especially if they occur frequently. The national institute on aging operates the alzheimer’s and dementias education and referral center. If you need extra support, call the adear center at (800) 438-4380 for information on local resources.
Mealtime may seem like a simple task, but changes in spatial awareness, vision, attention and even temperature tolerances can make it an overwhelming experience for someone with dementia. Gabriella belacastro, a dietician with chapters health shared these tips to help caregivers make it easier. Reduce distractions. Turn off the tv and serve meals in a quiet setting. Distinguish food from the plate. Changes in spatial and visual abilities make it difficult for dementia patients to distinguish food from the setting. It can help to use plates or bowls that have contrasting colors with the food and table setting. Avoid patterned dishes, tablecloths and placemats.
In this transition process, it’s easy to get caught up in the planning and packing. However, this will also be a transition for you as you adapt to your new support role and navigate this new chapter with your loved one. To make sure you take care of yourself throughout this process, consider the following tips offering support for dementia caregivers: be prepared to take time off – this transition process will take time and can often come with little notice, so it’s important that you take time off to be there for your loved one when they need you most.