Outdoor Cameras Helps Monitor Elderly Loved Ones Enjoying Fresh Air
Like all of us, Alzheimers patients can get antsy. The great outdoors brings excitement and exercise, and those who have not previously wandered may be able to be left alone to enjoy their porch or yard . Outdoor cameras let you monitor their activities from your phone and even communicate using the two-way voice feature. In the scenario that an Alzheimers patient does wander, your outdoor cameras can help determine where they went based on their general behavior and direction.
Home Security Tips For Dementia And Alzheimers Disease Patients
If you are the carer of a loved one or family member who has Alzheimers disease or dementia, its essential to be prepared for a broad range of events or accidents that could likely happen. Those affected by these conditions are not in the right capacity to behave or react in ways we expect them to. One of the primary responsibilities of the carer of dementia or Alzheimers patients is to keep the home a safe and secure place thus, alarm systems and home care products are crucial components of a security and care plan.
Anyone experiencing memory problems but can still walk and have access to vehicles is likely to wander, be disoriented, and get lost and the results could be disastrous. At any stage of dementia or Alzheimers, wandering is a common concern that can occur. The Alzheimers Association has reported that 6 out of 10, or 60 percent of adults with brain conditions like dementia or Alzheimers are likely to roam or wander. Wandering and roaming out of a safe environment can cause distress and confusion for the carers and patients.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure constant safety to guarantee that the senior and theyre carer are not in danger. This can be avoided by simple devices that can warn and alert the carers of any unexpected movements and activities.
Wsdcam Wireless Remote Door Alarm
The Wsdcam wireless consists of a magnetic alarm coupled with a remote controller. It has 4 modes, which make it a multipurpose device: Arm/Disarm/Panic/Doorbell.
It comes with a loud 110dB alarm, is easy to install and comes ready to start working from the packaging itself
The remote control has a 45ft range and can connect with 2 different alarms simultaneously. Both remote and alarm have low battery consumption. AAA batteries are included with the pack.
The alarm is small in size and weighs only 4.2 ounces.
There is a convenient DIY pairing option for the remote and the alarm you can match up to 8 remotes with one alarm, and up to 50 alarms from one remote. This means that one remote can access all the doors in the house, and remotes can be given to each person in the family.
Pros
- Remote controlled, multiple alarms can be configured to 1 remote
- 49ft remote control range, enough to cover most houses
- Battery operated, 2AAA batteries included in the product
- 4 modes: arm, disarm, panic, doorbell mode. Can work as both doorbell and alarm
- Easy to install
Cons
- It is a bit too loud, even in chime mode
- Expensive, as compared to other options
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Use Bed Alarms With Elderly And Dementia Patients
Bed alarms have become one of the most essential devices not just for the senior and dementia patients, but also to their caregivers.
The main duty of caregivers is taking care of senior patients and patients who suffer from Alzheimers or Dementia. Part of their job includes monitoring them almost round-the-clock and consequently, caregivers feel tiredness, stress, burnout, and frustration.
A bed alarm for the elderly and dementia patients works via pressure sensor pads. When a patient rises to get out of the bed on their own, the pressure is released, and the bed alarm pad sends an alert to the caregivers receiver. Being alerted, the caregiver arrives in the bedroom to assist the patient.
Most bed alarms come with tamper-proof controls to prevent tampering and interference from the patient. Only caregivers or anyone else having access to the alarms control can reset the alarm after they assisted the patient. Some of the best bed alarms for the elderly have an auto-reset feature for added convenience.
Here are some of the benefits that bed alarms can provide:
Trackers / Intelligent Pendants
A tracker is a type of device which can track a person as they move about and could, for example, provide assistance to find them again using GPS technology. Family members can be confident their loved one cannot wander too far from home. Other devices can alert health workers in the event of a fall or to a change in someones walking pattern. Some of these are worn around the wrist or neck. The user can call for help by pressing the button, for example, if they fall. Pendants alert a monitoring centre. Staff can then speak to the person and assess if additional help is needed.
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Summary And Final Recommendations
Taking extra security measures means doing what you can to keep your loved one safe. If your loved one does try to unintentionally wander about, these door security options can let you know right away. Many of these options can make you feel more at ease, including door alarms, doorknob covers, and alarm mats.
You may want to invest in several of these products to use around the home for safety reasons. Once you have invested in the extra door security options, you may get better sleep at night because you no longer need to stress as much!
Do you know of other ways to enhance door security for dementia patients? Tell me about them in the comments below!
Learn More About Safer Homes
Be Alerted When A Door Or Window Is Opened
Anti-wandering solutions and home security systems can often overlap, and this next item can serve both purposes equally well. The works with a very simple magnetic contact with built-in transmitter, alerting you as soon as contact is broken between the door and frame. Half of the magnetic contact transmitter is placed on the door or window, and the other half on the frame, forming a foolproof barrier that will let you know any time the home is breached.
This alarm kit is the perfect solution if the person suffering with dementia frequently opens windows or exits through doors, in turn compromising their safety. You will be alerted to a door or window opening with a vibrating or alarming pager that can be carried by the carer, allowing you to call your loved one or carer to check on the situation.
Another great feature of this system is that it is fully expandable. If you need to monitor more than one door or window, simply add more contact sensors , allowing you to keep tabs on your entire home at once.
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Prevent Injury From Bed Falls
Dementia sufferers that are prone to wandering are at a much higher risk of falls, especially if they suffer with balance issues or their legs are not as strong as they used to be. For older people, this can be especially dangerous, as the risk of injury from falls is often heightened.
The is a perfect solution, and is designed to be placed beside a bed to cushion the landing after a fall from bed. Made with a high-density foam, crash mats like this one are crucial for any dementia-care environment, turning a would-be disaster into a mere inconvenience. As this mat can be folded and stored away, it is ideal for areas where space is at a premium, and will not pose a tripping hazard during the day.
Wifi Smart Watch With Elderly Gps Tracker And Voice Call
There are several watches on the market that contain GPS tracking options. This is a great choice for anyone concerned about getting lost, wandering off, or forgetting their location when they are dealing with dementia. It connects to a GPS smartphone app so you can locate your loved one if they become lost. There is also an option to set up voice calls so you can talk directly through the watch. It makes a great gift for someone who needs it.
Pros:
- Automatically changes to daylight saving time when the time changes
Cons:
- Limited display options and small font
- User interface not very customizable
- Poor customer reviews
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When To Find A Caregiver Or Nursing Home For Dementia Patients
If someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, you can opt to get a caregiver or nursing home at any time. The early stages are milder and allow the person to still carry out basic functions on their own.
However, in middle-stage dementia, things can get dangerous. The person might get lost, forget their personal belongings, or become suddenly aggressive with behavioral changes. In late-stage dementia, full-time care is often required, as the individual loses the ability to control their bowels, movements, and eating and drinking.
The sooner you seek help for someone with dementia, the better and more comfortable they can be during the nearing end of their life.
Caregiver Tips For Home Safety
Maintaining a Safe Temperature in the Home
Older people are more susceptible to cold temperatures. Potentially dangerous drops in body temperature, known as hypothermia, may occur if its not warm enough. People with Alzheimers may not know how cold they are and wont take appropriate steps to stay warm.Chilly room temperature can cause a drop in strength and energy after only 45 minutes, and hypothermia can happen even when the temperature is not freezing, so the temperature in the home of your loved one with dementia should be set around 70 degrees.
Tips: Drawing curtains or blinds at the right time of day can help keep a room warm. Weatherization and minor repairs can help a home hold its warm temperature. Programs to help seniors afford that cost of installing insulation or taking other steps to weatherize include the Department of Health and Human Services Home Energy Assistance Program .
Moving About the Home
Tips: Make sure there are clear paths through rooms and hallways by getting furniture, cords, or clutter out of the way. This includes floor rugs that can be a tripping hazard. Make sure that rooms and hallways have non-slip walking surfaces and sufficient lighting. Consider placing nightlights in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallways if your loved one walks around at night. If there are stairs in the home, consider installing handrails, as well as safety strips on the steps.
Bathroom Safety Measures
Did You Know?
Preventing Accidents
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Wireless Home Security Burglar Alarm
- Backed by a warranty
Why I Recommend It
Although the product is known as a burglar alarm, the Wireless Home Security Burglar alarm works well in homes where people with dementia live. It is a product that you can place between the doors of your home. The alarm goes off when one door opens. The noise is loud enough to make you aware of what is going on, even if you are sleeping when the door opens.
If you want a simple way to secure the doors of your home and to know quickly if any of them are opened, this is an easy way to accomplish it. The added protection will put your mind at ease when it comes to thoughts of your loved one roaming around while you are sleeping.
Making Adjustments To The Home Can Help Safeguard Individuals With Alzheimers Disease Or Dementia From Danger
The National Institute on Aging and the Mayo Clinic recommend numerous safety precautions for the homes of people with Alzheimers and dementia. It should be noted that safety-proofing the home is not a one-time task. Both organizations recommend regular re-evaluation of safety and security needs as the individuals illness progresses since abilities and behavior often change.
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Ideal Security Alarm Mat
- May be used both indoors and outdoors
- The 3-mode setting allows you to adjust the sound of the alarm and turn it off when you do not need it
- Easy to put in place and set up
Why I Recommend It
Another way to create a secure environment without the use of traditional door alarms is to use the Ideal Security Alarm Mat. You can place a mat on the floor by each door that leads outside, including any side doors you might have.
Simply put these mats out at night. If your loved one is roaming the house and gets too close to the door, an alarm will go off from the moment the mat gets stepped on. The mat identifies the pressure that occurs when a person stands on it, which is how it works effectively.
A security alarm mat is a perfect addition to a home where someone with dementia lives. It is not always possible to predict when an individual with this condition will attempt to roam around. Unfortunately, people with dementia do unintentionally wander away from their homes at times.
With the convenient security mat, you can make sure that you hear a noise when your loved one gets too close to the door. You can either leave the mats out all day long or put them down on the floor at night when you are most concerned about your loved one leaving the home.
What Makes Smart Caregiver Stand Out
Historically, in the industry, door exit alarms have cost thousands of dollars and needed a technician to install & maintain, making them non-accessible to those who do not have the financial means to purchase them.
Smart Caregiver has made anti-wandering exit alarms that are DIY and affordable. Without the need for an installer to install the products, you can easily incorporate any anti-wandering system within your home. Whether it is placing a cordless mat on any exit areas or just purchasing an anti-wandering alarm, pager, and wristband there is no intricate or advanced technical installation required. They are also extremely budget-friendly, particularly in comparison to care home facilities that can cost an average of $7,756 per month. For as little as $169, you can help prevent your senior from wandering, providing a wealth of emotional, physical, and financial issues synonymous with aging in place and caregiving.
For more information, visit our online store to find out how we can help.
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How To Improve Home Safety For Dementia Patients
As a family caregiver, youve probably combed dozens of checklists for home safety for dementia patients. Youve added and removed everything from handrails to loose rugs to non-slip mats to ensure your loved ones comfort and safety as they age in place.
But family caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimers also have other concerns. Elopement and wandering are among the most common, but there are other issues to prepare for. For this reason, you must regularly assess your loved ones home if they have a cognitive disease.
To keep your loved one safe and give yourself some peace of mind, check out these recommendations to improve home safety for dementia patients.
Why Not Simply Lock The Doors
One option, of course, is to lock the doors at all times, especially when sleeping with a lock that has a specific key or number combination unknown to your loved one. However, in the case of a fire hazard, this can be dangerous, as they may not be able to escape in time.
It is also possible that they might take offense to such constant scrutiny, especially if this practice is implemented during the day as well. It is important that patients suffering from dementia should be allowed to maintain their dignity.
If you are looking for a door lock designed for dementia patients, you should read best door locks for dementia patients.
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Fire Burn And Electrical Shock Safety
This is a particularly important step for the home.
- Purchase a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors for each level of the home .
- Put a smoke detector in the patient’s bedroom.
- Determine a fire emergency exit route and practice using it.
- Post the fire department emergency number in a prominent place.
- Keep hot water temperature below 120 degrees.
- Keep lighters and matches locked up.
- Avoid the use of portable heaters.
- Guard radiators.
- Avoid running electrical cords in open spaces where the person with Alzheimers can reach them.
- Place childproof covers over plugs.
Best Clocks For People With Dementia / Alzheimers
Dementia is a difficult diagnosis to live with, whether it be in yourself or someone you care about. There are many unknowns, inconveniences, and challenges that come with this disease. Living in todays fast-paced society means theres no slowing down for people affected by dementia. But fortunately, some modern tools and technologies can relieve the difficulties.
Some products, like dementia clocks, can bring simple solutions to daily life. Here is all you need to know about dementia, memory, and the best dementia clocks to help you through the main stages of dementia.
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What Else Can I Do To Help Dementia Patients
Aside from getting a dementia clock, finding medical support, researching the best nursing homes, or hiring at-home caregivers for your loved one, there are other ways to support people with dementia.
Monitor and Manage Symptoms
Pay attention to the individuals progression of symptoms. Every person with dementia goes through the process at varying rates. Some people have a life expectancy of only a few years, whereas others live on for decades after diagnosis. The more you monitor and find support for their current symptoms, the safe theyll be.
Get a Caregiver
Getting a caregiver for someone with dementia can relieve the patients and familys stress. Caregivers are professionals who care for those in need. They assist physically, emotionally, and medically. They can help bathe, treat, feed, entertain, and socialize the patient when they need help the most.
Offer Support
You, too, can help emotionally support your loved one. Spend time with them, go on walks outside, remind them to take their medication, and make sure theyre living in a safe and sanitary environment.
Be Patient
It can be frustrating dealing with someone whose memory, personality, and behavior are constantly declining and changing. Its important to stay patient and compassionate with them. Remember its not their fault and they are being gravely affected by a disease.