Healthy Home Tips

At-home care for a person with Alzheimer's Disease can be difficult at times. Having a safe home environment that promotes cognitive stimulation is an ideal setting for a person with Alzheimer's disease, and it may take some worrying away from the caregiver! We found some simple suggestions that can aid with increasing the quality of life for a person with Alzheimer's and their family.


The following household tips, published on the Disabled-World website, can aid in cognitive stimulation:

• Implementing visual cues and reminders throughout the home can insure a sense of security and reduce confusion for a person with Alzheimer's Disease. Putting an enclosed display box with personal mementos outside of the person's bedroom can reduce confusion in a home hallway with multiple doors.


• Hanging clocks around the house depicting certain activites at the proper time can help a person remember daily routines.


• Replacing stale, all white design schemes with pastel colors has proven to promote a sense of calmness. Also, varying wall colors in different rooms can remind a person with Alzheimer's which activities occur in which rooms.


• Giving a person with Alzheimer's a box of photos, toys and mementos can be stimulating and reduce the person's need to find stimulants in areas that may be unsafe.

Often times, being aware of basic safety rules can make the home environment a safer place. WebMD recently published a list of safe and effective guidelines in order to provide safe and effective caregiving in the home. Help make your home a safer environment for a person with Alzheimer's disease by asking yourself the following questions:

• Are all entrances and exits are clearly marked and be accessed safely?


• Are railings and stairs outside the home properly working?


• Can the windows and doors in the house be opened and locked easily?


• Are sharp objects the in kitchen safely stored?


• Are towels, curtains and other flamable items away from the range or stove?


• Can food items be safely transported from the food to dining area?


• Is there a clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom?


• Is the phone accessible in all rooms of the house?


• Is is easy for your loved one to get in and out of the tub in the bathroom? If not, consider installing a walk-in shower. Or consider installing grab bars around the tub. Note: Towel racks are not sturdy enough to be used as grab bars.


• Are nightlights installed in the bathroom?


• Are all bathmats non-slip?


• Is there adequate lighting at the top and bottom of stairways?


• Are stairway railings sercure? Consider installing handrails on both sides of stairwell.

Click Here for a more extensive list of tips and guidelines.

Want to learn more information about Alzheimer's and dementia? Visit us online at www.brhope.com. Thanks for reading!