A safer – and more pleasant – environment
Q. My father-in-law who had early-stage dementia recently moved in with us. We have a large house with lots of “stuff.” His room is down the hall from ours, and he has his own bathroom. He gets around well, but in the past has fallen a couple of times. How can I make our home safer for him?
A. Before answering your question, I did some research. Guess what? Almost every source I read suggested “decluttering” as one of the most important steps to take in making your home safe. Clutter is also recognized as a stress-inducer, so by streamlining your belongings you will be creating a more pleasant and safer environment for you, your husband and your father-in-law.
Begin by taking a tour of your home as if you were a visitor. Make notes of areas of concern – a wayward extension cord, an area rug that slides, a piece of furniture that juts out into a passageway – and remedy these problem areas. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom. You may need to put small appliances out of reach or attach locks to cabinet doors. In the bathroom, make sure the toilet is an appropriate height. Install grab bars by the toilet and in the shower/bath. Use nonskid bath mats. Consider replacing the showerhead with a hand-held one; a plastic shower stool contributes to safety and comfort. Make sure the thermostat for your hot water heater is no more than 120 F. Install a bathroom door lock with a key that you can open from the outside – just in case.
As a precaution, you may want to move easily breakable decorative items. (Your father-in-law is not a child, but many of the same safeguards apply as when you “childproof” your home.) All medications should be clearly labeled, and stored out of reach. If your father-in-law is able to administer his own medications, this should still be done with supervision. It is best to remove (or lock up) all potentially dangerous or hazardous products: scissors, matches, cleaning supplies, paint, power tools, etc. and of course guns or other weapons.
Provide adequate lighting throughout the house and position nightlights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways. Consider using “glow in the dark” light switches. If you have glass patio doors, mark them with a decal at eye level.
Make sure you have adequate smoke detectors in good working order. Devise an emergency plan and update this as your father-in-law’s condition changes. When I am asked if it is safe to leave someone home alone, I respond with this question. “Would he know what to do in the case of an emergency – and be able to do it?”
These ideas are rather generic. It is important that you consider your father-in-law’s over- all health, abilities, and behavior and plan accordingly. If (or when) he begins to wander, you will need to secure windows and doors, and any vehicles to which he has access. I tend to err on the side of caution and practice the adage “better safe than sorry.” As a caregiver, you have been entrusted with a challenging calling. Taking steps to make your home safe and secure will help you succeed.
CARING TIP: Ensuring your loved one gets sufficient sunlight during the day will help establish the body’s “clock” and may induce better sleep at night.