As people age, they may confront various health issues, one of the most serious being Alzheimer’s disease. This neurodegenerative illness has a significant impact not just on cognitive function but also on how seniors live their daily lives. Safety becomes the most crucial consideration as the condition progresses and the senior’s capacity to manage daily tasks deteriorates. Caregivers and family members need to understand how a loved one’s safety needs change when they require Alzheimer’s home care.

Cognitive Decline and Its Effect on Safety

Alzheimer’s disease impairs memory, logic, and judgment, making it more difficult for seniors to make sound judgments. Early on, they may miss appointments, misplace possessions, or become confused even in familiar situations. These lapses can result in circumstances where they wander off, leave the stove on, or fail to lock the doors, all of which create safety risks.

Additionally, as the disease progresses, the chance of falling increases, as does the likelihood that they may be unable to communicate when something goes wrong. Seniors in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease may lose the ability to recognize harmful circumstances, which could include a failure to detect physical changes like a cut, which could lead to infection.

Managing the Home Environment

A senior with Alzheimer’s disease’s safety is heavily influenced by his or her living environment. One of the first actions in Alzheimer’s home care services is to change the living environment to reduce dangers. This could include eliminating clutter, securing rugs, and putting safety rails in bathrooms. Locks and alarms on doors or windows can also help prevent wandering.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can also help streamline seniors’ everyday tasks. For instance, they can recommend removing sharp and dangerous tools, such as knives, as well as ensuring that commonly used items are within reach.

Alzheimer’s Home Care Supervision and Assistance

As cognitive deterioration continues, the amount of supervision required increases. This could range from assisting with medication management to providing physical support with tasks such as eating or dressing.

Having outside assistance with Alzheimer’s home care ensures that family caregivers are given breaks and helps to preserve the relationship they have with the senior. Additionally, it gives loved ones peace of mind, knowing they have the extra support.

Managing Wandering Behavior

One of the most difficult safety challenges linked with Alzheimer’s home care is roaming. This behavior is more commonly seen in the middle stages, but could happen at any time.

Wandering can cause disorientation, and seniors may venture outside without realizing the dangers of traffic or new surroundings. GPS tracking devices, wristbands, and motion detectors can be used to track seniors, reducing the danger of a loved one becoming lost.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, seniors’ safety concerns shift substantially. To ensure that loved ones stay as secure and comfortable as possible, home modifications and additional supervision are often added to the Alzheimer’s home care plan. Understanding these safety concerns and making the required adjustments allows families to provide the best possible care during a difficult time.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Grand Island, NE, please contact the caring staff at AmanaCare today. Call (402) 440-5878, for Central Nebraska Call 308-663-3828

AmanaCare Provides Senior Home Care Services in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, Hastings, Omaha, Columbus, Broken Bow, Scottsbluff, Norfolk, and surrounding areas.

Sources:

• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/alzheimers-caregiving-home-safety-tips
• https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/home-safety
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/safe-and-happy-at-home
• https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/what-equipment-improve-adapt-home-person-dementia

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AmanaCare Staff

The word Amana means “faithfulness, loyalty, constancy, devotion, integrity, trust.” It also means “support, confirmation; a guardian.” At AmanaCare, our goal is to confirm the inherent value of our clients and to support them through their unique circumstances. By providing constant, reliable care tailored to each person, we seek to be the guardian that they and their loved ones can trust. Every person is a unique gift from God, and therefore care is not one-size-fits-all. We craft our care plans to assist with your specific needs, the way you want them done. We set your care plan according to family needs and help you remain an active member of your family and community.

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