Care for the Elderly can be stressful but even more so when the loved one has Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Creating a safe home environment can ease some of this stress, and getting needed time away from elderly care by employing an at home care service can also help.
Creating a safe environment removes the danger and stress from at home elderly care. The hardest part in safeguarding a home for elderly care can be assessing the existing risks, identifying areas that need to be improved, and preventing wandering. The following checklist can help when planning for safe at home elderly care.
- Install grab bars in bathrooms and put non-slip bath mats in baths and shower trays. Use a handheld showerhead and shower bench.
- If necessary remove the car and or the car keys from temptation if the person should not be driving.
- Install locks on all windows and doors and if the person tends to wander out, keep them locked. Install deadbolt looks on doors that need a key to open.
- Place nightlights in the bedroom, hall and other walkways.
- Remove the locks on bathroom doors to prevent the person from accidentally locking themselves in.
- Use childproof locks on any cabinets where medicine, chemicals or dangerous items like knives or other sharp objects are kept.
- Keep walkways clutter-free and the house tidy to avoid trips and falls.
- Consider replacing loose rugs and anything else that might cause an elderly person to slip or fall.
- Install outdoor flood lighting to illuminate walkways at night.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen. Install an automatic shut-off switch on the cooker.
- The elderly person should carry identification medical alerts if necessary so that in the event that he or she wanders off, someone will be able to identify him or her. If the elderly person does become lost, it is important to have a recent photograph of the person on hand to show police.
- Make sure the elderly person’s financial and legal documents are in order, and kept in a secure place.
- Use an adult day care service to reduce the stress and demands of elderly care. This way you can have peace of mind knowing that a qualified, caring person is providing elderly care while you are away.
Home Care services are available to help you cope with looking after the elderly. You need to remember that you need a life as well; if you are stressed by giving all the care then the care that you provide will likely suffer. It is important that you take holidays and call in professional care when you go away.
By Mike Frizzell Everycare Central Hants www.everycarehants.co.uk