Connect With A Dementia Care Coordinator
There are many elements to consider when beginning to care for a loved one with dementia at home. Legal, safety, health and interpersonal changes will need to be made. Dementia care coordinators can help with safety concerns, medical attention, medication management, nutrition support and more. They can be especially helpful when a loved one is dealing with other medical conditions for which they need treatment.
Some care coordinators will conduct an initial assessment to thoroughly check your home and living situation. They will create a list of needs and work with caregivers to address the improvements most impactful to the home environment. Together, dementia care coordinators and caregivers can fix safety concerns or remove possible triggers before they become a problem. The goal to this type of care is to keep people at home with the highest quality of life for the longest period of time, explains Havrilla.
As an added bonus, loved ones who have some assistance from care coordinators remain in the home longer. In a Johns Hopkins Maximizing Independence at Home trial, researchers found that patients who were in contact with a care coordinator at least once a month for 18 months were less likely to move to an institution or die than those in the control group.
To find dementia care coordination services in your area talk to your doctor or local organizations.
Lock Up Their Medications
Dont wait to do this one until its too late! Many Alzheimers and dementia patients are not immediately rendered unable to self-medicate but, as time goes on, they will become less able to remember whether or not they have already taken certain medications, which can result in overdosing and other potentially deadly side-effects. It is important that you and your fellow caretaker have a plan for administering your loved ones medication in a way that prevents such problems before they happen.
Always Keep An Eye On Symptoms And Behavior Patterns
At some points, Alzheimers and dementia patients seem to plateau, neither improving nor declining. At other points, they seem to deteriorate quickly or suddenly progress to a new, worse stage. Making a regular effort to gauge their progress and evaluate their ever-developing habits and tendencies can be very important when implementing safety measures. The more aware you are of their current status, the more empowered you will be to take preemptive action to keep your loved one safe.
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Making Your Home Dementia Friendly Making Your Home Dementia Friendly
Read a booklet about practical ways to make your home more dementia friendly.
This booklet describes some of the ways to create a home that supports you as a person with dementia. Each section covers a different aspect of living at home.
The sections list practical tips to make managing dementia at home easier. For some of these you may need help and support from friends, family members or health and social care professionals.
If you have dementia, living at home can give you more independence. By making some changes to your home, you can continue to enjoy it, and keep up routines and activities that are familiar to you. These changes can help you to stay safe, physically active, mentally stimulated and in touch with friends and family.
Everyone experiences dementia in their own way. You may need to try some of the ideas out to see what works best for you.
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Independence Aids For The Person With Dementia
Aids to independence and safety include:
- hand-held shower hoses that allow a person to direct the flow of water as desired
- a shower chair or bath seat that allows a person to be seated while bathing and eliminates the need to lower oneself into the bath
- handrails near the bath, shower and toilet to provide support and balance
- easy-to-read clocks and large calendars to help orient to date and time
- heat sensors or alarms in case of emergency
- a list of contact names and numbers in large print placed by the telephone allows the person to stay connected more easily.
Independent Living Centres in each Australian state and territory offer a number of services designed to promote safe living. Information is available on a number of products, including smoke detectors, hot water service temperature regulators and monitoring services. Advice is also available on home modifications and home design.
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Approaches While Considering Home Adaptations
Select changes based on the current abilities of the person with dementia. These abilities change over time, and so the home may need to be changed again and again accordingly. For example, in early stages, the person may seem confused because there are too many objects in the room, or apparently forget where the bathroom is. Removing unnecessary objects and adding signs may help. Later, when the person starts facing problems in walking, you can add grab rails. If the person finds it difficult to get up from a chair, you can use a chair that has arms.
An important part of home adaptations is observing the persons problems to see which home adaptations can be useful. You have to select what suits the person as well as and the rest of the family. Changes require effort and money. Remember that you may need to keep making more changes. Be creative and look for practical ideas and materials. In addition to the suggestions and resources listed on this page, talk to friends and get ideas. Visit online or in-person support groups other caregivers may have faced similar problems and may have good, practical tips. They may also know where you can buy special equipment and materials.
While looking at which adaptations can help the person, be clear of your reason. Some possible reasons to make changes:
Ensure safety: Given the several problems that persons with dementia face, think how the home can be made safer even if they are confused and have poor coordination.
Assistive Living Devices In India
The Govt. of Indias Old Age Solutions portal has a section: Assistive devices Opens in new window. This discusses various types of devices.
Pedder Johnson Opens in new window: They manufacture and market several products for dignified living of elders and disabled persons. Their site contains pictures that make it easy for visitors to decide whether the product would be useful.
Please satisfy yourself about the suitability and reliability of any product before ordering or using.
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What Is The Best Environment For Someone With Dementia
Knowing how to properly dementia-proof your home is critical for keeping your loved one with dementia safe. For a person with dementia, an optimal living environment is one that allows them to be as happy and independent as possible. A person with dementia needs to be familiar with their surroundings and habits. The home setting should assist someone in determining where they are and assisting them in determining where they wish to go. Confusion and disorientation can be exacerbated by changes in the surroundings.
In addition to memory, dementia can affect physical coordination and sensory perception. Falls are more likely due to reduced coordination and vision burns are more likely because of a reduced sense of touch and poisoning is more likely due to a reduced sense of taste and smell. Since disorientation can cause behaviors that can result in injury, its crucial to consider the following suggestions to make your house a dementia-friendly setting.
Treat Your Caregiving Like A New Job
Some caretakers find that caring for a loved one with dementia is like a full-time job. A lot of time, attention and life changes can be needed to ensure the loved ones safety.
As with any job, plan by finding opportunities for short breaks. Talk with family members to see if they might be able to care for your loved one for the night. If that doesnt work, try researching other methods to avoid burnout.
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Lock Or Block Off Certain Areas
Create peace of mind for yourself and increase the likelihood of your seniors wellbeing by deciding in advance which areas of your home are off-limits. It is critical that you do this before your loved one hurts themselves. Stay ahead of the curve by blocking off or locking doors to the pool, the backyard, the garage, your home office, or any other place where your senior may be tempted to rummage or may put themselves in danger.
Dementia Care: Keeping Loved Ones Safe And Happy At Home
Of the 5.8 million people in the United States who have Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia, many remain at home, an option thats been shown to help them stay healthier and happier and live longer.
But home care isnt always easier caregiving often falls on the shoulders of family members and friends. And these well-meaning loved ones can burn out without the proper support, experts warn.
The care of dementia is actually the care of two people: the person with the illness and the person taking care of them, says Johns Hopkins geriatric psychiatrist Deirdre Johnston, M.D. But when Johnston and a team of researchers studied more than 250 Baltimore residents with dementia and their caregivers, they found a staggering 97% to 99% of both groups had unmet needs.
Keeping your loved one safe and happy at home with dementia home care can seem overwhelming. But dont lose heart: Plenty of help is out there, for your loved one and for you. Here are some tips that may help:
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Keep Your Loved Ones Safe And Protected
Six out of 10 individuals living with Alzheimers or other types of dementia will wander at least once, according to the Alzheimers Association. If youre a caregiver, your loved ones safety is a top concern, and there are a number of ways you can help protect them around the home as they age.
Utilizing safety measures like door locks can help you avoid the risks of wandering, but they can also be part of a solid emergency plan. Different actions you might consider to devising an emergency plan could include:
- Enrolling your loved one in a wandering response service
- Creating a list of places they might seek while wandering
- Keeping a recent, close-up photograph of your relative on your phone or in a convenient location
- Asking friends, family, and neighbors ahead of time to call you if they see your loved one wandering
Memory care is another option when considering how to manage wandering. Memory care units are equipped to provide 24-hour supervised care and are designed to minimize the chances of wandering.
If you decide to explore this option, our Senior Living Advisors can help connect you with memory care communities in your area and answer any questions you may have.
Alzheimers Association. Wandering.
Lai, C. Arthur, D. . Wandering behavior in people with dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 44,173-82.
When To Seek Extra Help Caring For Your Loved One
You may find yourself overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caring for someone with dementia in your home. When you notice that you have caregiver burnout, its important and valuable to seek out extra help to assist in caring for your loved one. This can also alleviate your own stress and help you monitor both of your wellbeing. Whether your loved one is eligible for Aged Care funding or you are ready to hire carers out of pocket, we offer affordable high-quality home care services. We look after individuals who require assistance so that they may remain independent and dignified in the environment that is best for their health: their own home.
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Check Elder Care And Dementia Care Services In Your Community
There may be times when caregivers are not able to care for their loved one. If additional help is needed during the day, adult day care centers provide entertainment and care for people with dementia while giving much-needed breaks for their caregivers.
Home services are also available to give you more time in your day. Certified nursing assistants can visit your home to help with medical needs, such as administering medications or caring for wounds. If you need more help, in-home health aides can cover light housekeeping, cooking and other nonmedical needs. Some grocery stores and meal services can also assist by delivering food or meals to your home. Try exploring the options that are available to you.
Its important to ask your loved ones doctor or dementia care coordinator for local resources and contacts.
Fall And Injury Prevention
Late-stage dementia often affects an individuals physical mobility and stability.
To ensure dementia safety at home and decrease fall risk, you may want to consider:
- Cleaning and clearing clutter on floors
- Making sure throw rugs and carpeted flooring dont have bumps
- Installing or tightening handrails on stairs
- Placing non-slip strips on wood stairs and in the bathroom
- Increasing the lighting in commonly used rooms
- Putting up railings or help-aids alongside your loved ones bed
- Fixing any cement, asphalt, or stone-like walkways that have uneven surfaces
- Installing stair gates for adults with dementia to block them from using stairs
Even though you may not be able to prevent every possible fall or injury, putting some preventative measures in place can decrease the risk and severity of these occurrences.
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Potential Dangers Of Wandering
Older adults living with Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia may experience feelings of confusion or disorientation, which can cause them to wander away from their home or caregiver in search of something familiar. As the disease progresses, the risk of wandering increases.
Wandering can be dangerous and put seniors with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia at a greater risk for falls, fractures, and injuries, according to a study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. The unpredictability and risks that accompany wandering can cause significant stress for caregivers and family members.
Installing a specialized dementia door lock is one of the easiest ways to keep your loved one with Alzheimers or another type of dementia from wandering outside or away from home.
Mark Off Danger Zones
Note any areas in your home that you feel are unsafe for your loved one and mark them as off-limit areas. For example, the garage, basement, attic, staircases and/or the outdoors.
If you cannot lock the off-limit areas, make sure you remove any dangerous appliances or machinery from those rooms and lock them away.
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External Links With Discussions/ Suggestions On Home Adaptation
Read a general discussion on the principles for adapting the environment around the person to make it more enabling: Dementia Enabling Environment Principles Opens in new window.
Some books have tips and illustrations on how the home can be made safe and empowering for persons with dementia. The suggestions may need to be adapted for your context depending on available materials. Some suggestions.
The Comfort of Home for Alzheimers Disease: A Guide for Caregivers by Maria M Myers, Paula Derr. ]This book has many tips on how to adapt the home for safety and comfort of care receivers. It describes various equipments to help persons with dementia stay mobile. Available as paperback on Amazon and Flipkart, and also as a Kindle ebook.
The Complete Guide to Alzheimers-Proofing Your Home by Mike Warner. This book has been suggested by some readers and is part of some recommended book lists, but has not been reviewed/ evaluated by us yet. It may be expensive. You can see the book description and reviews and decide if it is of interest to you to get your house ready for the person with dementia. Available on Amazon.
You can read more about these and also see our full list of suggested books at: Books on dementia and care, or surf Amazon.com or Amazon.in for specific needs.
Encourage Or Discourage Actions By Adjusting The Environment
Use colors and placement to make some objects prominent and hide some objects:
- Use contrasting colors to make objects more visible
- Use similar colors to hide objects/ make them less prominent
- If you want the person to notice something, place it near them or in front of them.
- Place the objects that the person often needs near their usual sitting place, so that they can find them easily and are not dependent on others
Encourage persons with dementia to engage in activities
- Place interesting, stimulating games near the person
- Place reminiscence objects like albums, photographs, and posters within sight
- Arrange the daily routine such that the person can walk around safely for at least some time. For this, create a space that is safe to walk in.
- Arrange the daily routine and the home such that the person spends at least part of the day socially connected to others. For example, seat the person where they can watch kids play, or watch neighboring activities, or be part of the familys evening get-together. Have some area where the person can spend time interacting with other family members. Ensure that the person does not feel isolated.
Reduce chances of tripping/ hurting
Reduce chances of confused interpretation of objects/ reduce things that frighten the person
Lighting: A dark place can be frightening to the person with dementia, but a very bright light can also be confusing.
Reduce chances of wandering by making minor changes to the room
Grab rails in a toilet and corridor )
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Dementia Door Lock Features
There are certain features you will want to look out for when shopping for dementia door locks. Before we look at some top-rated door locks for dementia patients, heres a breakdown of a few of the key features you can expect to see in their descriptions.
- Two-way security locks the door from the inside and outside.
- Multiple user codes give multiple people unique access codes to unlock or lock the door.
- An automatic locking system goes into effect after 10 to 99 seconds and reduces the risk of forgetting to lock the door.
- Lock/unlock from anywhere lets you unlock or lock from your smartphone.
For safety reasons, a person living with Alzheimers or another form of dementia should never be locked in their home alone without a caregiver present.