Preparing the Home for an Alzheimer's Patient Home safety is always important, but it’s a special concern when you’re caring for a person with Alzheimer’s. You need to do what you can to make sure your loved one’s surroundings are as safe and comfortable as possible. A few basic changes can help.

Entrances and Exits

• Make sure that doorways are well-lit and free of clutter. Sensors that turn on outside lights when someone approaches the house can be a good idea.
• Check that door locks work well and can open easily in an emergency.
• Make sure stairs or ramps are in good repair and have a secure hand rail.
• Think about posting a “No Solicitors” sign for the front door.

Kitchen

• Put child-proof latches on cabinets and drawers that have fragile, valuable, or dangerous items.
• Lock up household cleaning products, matches, knives, scissors, and other hazards.
• Keep your loved one from using dangerous appliances. Install safety knobs on the stove. Disconnect your garbage disposal. Get rid of anything that doesn’t work properly.
• Remove fake fruits or decorations that look like food so your loved one doesn’t mistake them for something edible.
• If you keep medications in the kitchen, store them in a locked cabinet or drawer.

Bedroom

• Make sure your loved one can get in and out of bed safely. Consider putting mats on the floor next to the bed, as long as they’re not a trip or slip hazard.
• Place lamps or light switches near the bed, or use a nightlight.
• A monitoring system, like a baby monitor, can help you hear when your loved one gets out of bed or needs help.
• Make a clear path to the bathroom.

Bathroom

• Can your loved one safely get in and out of the shower or bathtub? If not, install grab bars on the inside and outside. Towel racks aren’t sturdy enough to be used as grab bars.
• Use nonskid strips in the tub or shower. A shower stool can also help.
• Install a safety frame, raised seat, or grab bar near the toilet.
• Put medications in locked cabinets or drawers. Throw out any that have expired.
• Lock up any bathroom cleaning products and small electrical appliances.
• Think about getting a single faucet that mixes hot and cold water, instead of separate knobs, to avoid scalds.
• Replace small bath mats with a large rug that covers most of the floor. Put an adhesive back on it to keep it from slipping.