Make Homes More Accommodating for Alzheimer's Sufferers

Alzheimer's disease can make it difficult for sufferers to perform everyday tasks such as cooking meals, calling on the phone or taking a bath. So it is important to make the living arrangements of those with Alzheimer's as simple and safe as possible.

The Mayo Clinic offers the following tips to help make homes more accommodating for Alzheimer's patients:

• Keep emergency phone numbers, including doctor and family contacts, by all telephones.
• Store items used most often in easy-to-reach places.
• Make sure first-aid kits, fire extinguishers and working smoke alarms are in the home.
• Keep poisons and medications out of sight.
• Limit stove use. If there is a safety concern, throw the circuit breaker, unplug the stove or remove stove knobs.
• Adjust the water heater to 120 degrees to avoid burns.

Since Alzheimer's sufferers are likely to have at least one fall, the Mayo Clinic recommends the followings steps to help them to avoid falls:

• Remove throw rugs; keep stairways free of clutter; and use nightlights in hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms.
• Provide adequate lighting in hard-to-see areas.
• Avoid moving furniture, as this may disorient the person.
• Move electrical cords under furniture or tape them to walls.

Other sources: Mayo Clinic