Home Safety for Alzheimer's: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

When I was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I thought a lot about big-picture things – how long was I going to live, who was going to take care of me, would I have to go into a facility for care, how could we afford it?

But I didn't realize all the small adjustments that would have to happen in my life to keep me safe. Until you live with it, I don't think you truly understand what makes a difference to people living with Alzheimer's. Of course, everyone is different, but in talking with others, I've noticed a common thread.

Why routine matters for home safety with Alzheimer's

Over the years, we have made subtle changes in our home environment to make things easier for me. Routine is important to many of us, and avoiding big changes at home is crucial to maintaining a safe environment.

The first few years after my diagnosis, I realized I was getting very anxious during Christmas. To me, things "weren't right" because decorations I hadn't seen before were up, there was a tree in my living room (why?), and presents were scattered about. I couldn't deal with the mess and disarray because it didn't reflect my home. I had to have my family take it down the minute Christmas was over, and each year after that we have had fewer and fewer decorations in the house. That disrupted my routine – a little thing –, but my routine did not include walking around a tree in my living room!

Practical home modifications for Alzheimer’s

Any home modifications we make are for my safety and comfort. We don't make drastic changes – just enhancements – like better lighting and more night lights in bedrooms and baths. We've removed throw rugs so I don't trip. We don't rearrange the furniture. We installed grab bars in the shower. We have clear walkways throughout the house. We try to keep everything in the same place – like the remote control, the telephone, my purse, or things we use on an everyday basis. This kind of follows along with routine – having items in their "routine" place.

These things might sound small to most people, but for those of us with dementia, they matter. Once, when I visited my son in another town, my husband bought some new speakers and rearranged our furniture in our family room. When I came home, I had a very bad panic attack and couldn't go back into the room for days. I finally had to ask him to put it back the way it was because it was causing me so much anxiety.

Tools that help us stay organized and safe

We keep track of all our appointments on a large calendar on our kitchen door. Keeping up with things electronically can be challenging, so a physical calendar you can write on is essential in our house for a safe, manageable home environment. We also have a large whiteboard on our kitchen door to remind me of things. We set timers to remind me of certain tasks, and sticky notes are helpful too. Sometimes we even put sticky notes by the timer to tell me what to do once it goes off!

A word of caution for families making home modifications

All of the adjustments we have made (and will continue to make) have been done over a period of time – when we felt the need. One thing I caution families about is making too many changes too quickly. We can become confused very easily. I personally think that when a loved one has to be moved into an assisted living facility and they resist, it is more about them leaving their "routine" at home and fearing the unknown. Leaving home means facing a new schedule, new surroundings, and new people. It is hard to start over for anyone, let alone someone with dementia.

The importance of finding comfort in a safe place

It's hard for our families to keep us safe when we can't put it into words. They don't understand how our brain is interpreting our surroundings. When I am feeling anxious, disoriented, or confused, all I want to do is be home in my "safe place." Please try to keep this safe place comfortable and unobtrusive—because when it comes to home safety for Alzheimer's, it's often these quiet, consistent details that matter most.