When I started my caregiver journey, my husband wasn’t at risks for falls, and was able to know the dangers of using our gas range. Over time I have accessed supports that have helped to make small changes to our home to increase our safety together. We want to stay in our home as long as possible, and these adjustments have helped make that happen.
 

• Ask for an in-home occupational therapy assessment for falls prevention and safety recommendations, to maintain independence in the home.

• Watch for cognitive and physical changes that may impact your loved one’s safety (e.g. not turning off stove, mixing up medications, etc.). Some individuals with dementia have difficulty completing tasks that they used to do regularly.

• Consider having medications blister packed by your pharmacy. This can greatly decrease the time it takes you to organize medications and will reduce the risk of error.

• Home and vehicle modifications may look more ‘medical,’ but you will soon accept them as normal.

• New mobility devices will take practice to become comfortable, just like a new pair of glasses.

• Don’t take a chance with weather! Reschedule appointments, change locations or ask for assistance with snow/ice removal as needed.

• Ask hospital security to accompany you to your car if you are uncomfortable going out alone at night.

• Create a small phone chain with a few friends or family members to check on each other at a set time.

• Use medical alert bracelets to help share valuable information with healthcare workers quickly.

• Medical alarm buttons can increase independence, decreasing your worry about falls and getting to a phone to call for help. Some even work outside for tasks like gardening and getting the mail.