Staying Safe: Steps to Take for Your Loved Ones with Dementia

Safety measures are important for everyone, especially for people with dementia. As this disease progresses, it interferes with their senses, behavior, physical coordination, sense of time and place, and judgment.

Safety measures are crucial for seniors with dementia to be able to live comfortably and safely in the comfort of their homes. If you want a more thorough discussion on how you can help keep your loved ones with dementia safe, give Serenity Senior Care a call at 973-338-0124. In addition, you may also want to consider the following ways:

• Focus on individualized care.

  Consider availing of home care services in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Home caregivers can assist your loved ones with tasks around the house like housekeeping, meal preparation, and even grooming and personal hygiene.

• Stick to daily routines.

  Following a consistent daily routine will help your loved ones maintain their self-esteem and physical and mental faculties. For this instance, we have compassionate home caregivers who provide excellent senior care in New Jersey. They can help your loved ones in performing daily tasks. This will reduce the chances of loved ones forgetting how to do tasks by themselves.

• Create a safe environment for them in their own home.

  Proper dementia care requires a safe environment for your loved ones at home. With dementia, declining cognitive abilities may raise a person’s risk of injuries. To keep them safe, we have licensed and registered nurses who are qualified to provide nursing care in New Jersey. They make sure that your loved ones will be immediately cared for in times of emergency.

The Importance of Safety

A common misconception is that people with dementia are incompetent or unaware of their surroundings, but this is far from the truth. People with dementia have circulatory problems and may also have trouble with balance. A fall can lead to serious or even fatal injuries. As a caregiver, you need to take precautions for your loved one’s safety until they are more stable or at the point where they no longer need caregiving assistance.

1. Safety Information
   Maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of your loved one’s medications and medical history. Follow all safety precautions on the package. For example, read the label to see if it states that certain drugs should not be taken by people with dementia. Ask where he or she has been taking their medications, because some drug companies are notorious for not including these warnings in their packages.
   Avoid subjecting your loved one to extreme temperatures. The ideal temperature for his or her room is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that all air vents are open, because your loved one may have difficulty understanding the concept of hot and cold air.
2. Minimize Danger
   Keep doors to outside areas locked and secure, so that your loved one cannot wander off. Motion-sensor pads can be placed near areas where there is a high risk of falling, such as stairs.
3. Warnings
   Make it a habit to always warn your loved one of his or her surroundings. For example, let him or her know that they are approaching the stairs. If there is no way to avoid the stairs, try to position your loved one so that he or she is facing them, because this can help them stumble less often.
4. Fall Prevention
   Purchase a walker for your loved one and make sure that he or she uses it every time that he or she leaves the house. Also, if your loved one is able to walk, make sure that he or she has an elevated walking surface. For example, placing a few inches of sand under their feet may help them walk more calmly.
5. Medication
   If your loved one is able to take his or her medication with supervision, ensure that you are present. Alternatively, you can ask a family member to help you administer the medication properly. Alternatively, if your loved one has difficulty taking certain medications, try mixing the pills with applesauce or another food.

Why Should You Take Advantage of a Home Care Service For Your Loved One Who Has Dementia?

Dementia affects people differently. Some people may be able to live independently while others may need help with various tasks like bathing and dressing. You can take on the responsibility of caring for your loved one, but this doesn’t have to be a full-time job. In fact, caring for your loved one is something you’ll want to share with others in the community.

If you have the time, it’s a great idea to check out local resources on Home care for people with dementia, but you don’t have to be a member of a group or an organization in order to get the help that you need. You can ask your family members, friends and local health professionals to give you advice about finding more flexible care options.

Many people turn to family members and friends for help because they may not have dementia themselves. This can be a way for you to extend the circle of friends and family, while also taking advantage of the resources available in the community.

By asking for help from other family members, friends and caregivers, you can avoid committing yourself to an extended period of caregiving. You’ll still take responsibility for your loved one’s care, but you won’t be doing it full time.

Checklist For Caregivers of Seniors Who Have Dementia

1. Ask questions and listen to the answers.
2. Keep a journal and note anything out of the ordinary.
3. Put everything in plain sight and keep an eye on it every day for a week to make sure nothing goes missing, is damaged, or is used inappropriately.
4. Keep at least one phone or pager in your pocket for emergencies.
5. When you leave the home, lock all doors and windows; turn off all lights and appliances, put a house/gardening watch on the door, take the keys out of the ignition; and lock out anyone who may try to get in that way.
6. Always remove keys from home when leaving so they will not be lost or stolen.
7. Leave signs around to let everyone know that someone is inside.
8. When someone is in the house, call and check on them every hour, alerting the police if necessary.
9. If you have to leave a loved one alone for more than two hours at a time, make sure they have a phone call in case of emergency.
10. Get all important information about treatment into your hands before it is lost or forgotten.

We hope this article has given you all the information necessary to support a loved one with dementia. As with any case, it is important to be patient and sensitive while doing what is best for them in the situation. If you are looking for more guidance or have more questions about dementia care, be sure to speak with your family doctor.

You can also leave us a comment below if you have questions or suggestions about this article.