Does your loved one have Alzheimer's? Here's how to help them stay safe and alone!

It's normal to feel overwhelmed when you learn that your mother, father, or someone close to you has Alzheimer's disease. You may have many questions on your mind, such as, 'Will they be able to live on their own now? What will we do about their safety?' But don't worry. In fact, in the early and middle stages of this disease, with the right planning, we can help them live a relatively independent life in their familiar environment. The important thing is to create the environment necessary to live that independent life safely .

Think about it, even we feel a little nervous and confused when we go to an unfamiliar place. A person with Alzheimer's feels it even more. Therefore, it is very good for their mental health to stay in a familiar home . Frequent changes of residence, going to hospitals and nursing homes can cause them a lot of stress, and can worsen their physical and mental condition. Therefore, let's create an environment where they can feel safe, whether it's their own home or yours.

First, let's see if there is good lighting in the house?

Poor lighting can cause them to become scared, confused , and fall easily. That's why we should be a little careful about the lighting in our homes.

• Keep the lighting consistent throughout the house. For example, if they have to go from a well-lit room to a dark hallway, it can be disconcerting.
• Place sensor lights or small nightlights in dark areas, such as the path to the bathroom at night.
• Staircases and bathrooms should be well lit.
• It would be better if you could install lights in rooms and closets that turn on as soon as you enter them.
• Use curtains or blinds to let in natural light and reduce glare.

Let's take some care of the kitchen and food.

Good nutrition is essential for a healthy brain and body. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, problems like loss of appetite, weight loss, and dehydration can occur. So, let's prepare the kitchen so that eating is a pleasure, not a hassle.

• Bring nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals . For example, pre-cut salads and single-portion foods.
• Instead of using the stove, keep foods in the freezer that can be heated in the microwave.
• They can get confused when it comes to choosing food. So, instead of asking, 'What do you want to eat?', give them two simple options, like, 'Would you like some bread? Or some rice?'
• To make eating easier, use cutlery with large handles and plates or bowls with deep rims to prevent food from spilling.
• To reduce spillage of things like water, give them mugs with lids. Or fill the glass about halfway and give them a bendable straw.
• If you feel that the stove is not safe to use, you can install safety knobs to protect it from children. There are also timers that automatically turn off the stove after a certain amount of time.

It is very important to prevent falls!

Falls are a big risk for older adults. These accidents are especially likely to happen in the bathroom. If possible, it's best to have someone help them while they're bathing. In addition, follow these safety steps.

Be careful about giving the medicine on time.

Forgetfulness can cause you to miss taking your medication. Here are some things you can do to avoid it.

• Get a pill organizer with the days marked, morning and night, and keep it in a place where they can easily see it (like on the kitchen counter).
• Most importantly: Put the medicine in the medicine cabinet from the bottles you brought from the pharmacy, and keep the other medicine bottles locked away . You need to be even more careful about this if you have small children at home.
• Set an alarm to remind you when to take your medication.
• Even with all this, you still need to check in regularly to make sure they are actually taking their medication. Sometimes they may not want to take their medication, think they don't need it, or even think you are trying to poison them.
• Don't argue at such times. Be a little creative. For example, you could give them a 'flavored medicine ice cream' by mixing the medicine into their favorite ice cream. Talk to your doctor about this and get advice.

Let's make getting dressed easier.

These things will help make getting dressed less of a hassle for them and something they can do on their own.

• Give them simple choices: They can get overwhelmed if they have too many clothes in their closet. So keep just a few of their favorite clothes within easy reach.
• Easy-to-wear clothes: Clothes that button in the front are easier to put on than clothes that are worn over the head. Clothes with Velcro instead of buttons are easier for people with numbness in their hands.
• Same clothes: If they are stubbornly trying to wear the same clothes, buy two or three more clothes. Then you can wash and keep them clean without fighting with them.
• Comfortable shoes: Choose shoes that don't require laces, are non-slip, can be easily put on (step-in shoes), or have Velcro.

Let's safely remove dangerous things.

Due to forgetfulness and confusion, it is dangerous to leave some things where they can get caught. Lock cabinets and put these things away.

• Medicines (extra)
• Alcohol
• Cleaning fluids
• Sharp weapons (such as shovels, knives)
• Matchboxes, lighters
• Firearms (The National Institute on Aging recommends removing all firearms and other weapons from the home or keeping them securely locked away.)

Also, check to see if the home has a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

Is it time to stop driving?

This is a sensitive topic. In the early stages of the disease, they may be able to drive. But you should go out and see for yourself. Be aware of the following:

• Vehicle collisions or accidents.
• The vehicle is dented and scratched in places.
• Difficulty understanding road signs and rules.
• Riding too fast or too slow.
• Getting lost, unable to find the roads.
• If other drivers are honking their horns frequently on the road.

Finally, keep an eye out for these things when you visit them: Does the house smell like urine? Are there stains on their clothes? Do they have any unexplained bruises or cuts? All of these things can help us understand whether they are taking good care of themselves. Remember, it is not safe for someone to be alone during the severe stages of the disease. But in the early and middle stages, by taking these safety measures and checking in regularly, we can help them live happily and independently in their own homes.

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