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How to Put Your Loved One’s Safety First When They Have Dementia

A loved one with dementia can be a challenging situation. While you want your family member to live life to the fullest, you also want to ensure they’re safe while they do.

Many families struggle when it comes to safety, especially when they’re unsure which situations can require more safety measures than others. You may enjoy peace of mind with some of these helpful tips below:

Receive a Diagnose

The first step toward prioritizing your loved one’s safety can involve receiving a diagnosis of dementia. There are many different forms of dementia with various symptoms since the term ‘dementia’ is merely an umbrella for a range of neurological conditions.

Alzheimer’s disease can cause people to wander, get lost, have trouble communicating, and have compulsive behaviors. Those living with frontotemporal dementia may have excessive emotions, impulsive behaviors, difficulty with speech, and issues with walking and balance.

If your loved one has received a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, they may experience cognitive decline, movement problems, sleep disorders, and visual hallucinations. Vascular dementia is also common, with symptoms like forgetting events, misplacing items, having poor judgment, and being unable to follow instructions and receive new information. Having a diagnosis may enable you to understand the expected symptoms better so you can plan for them.

Create a Safe Home Environment

After receiving a dementia diagnosis, you may now know the importance of creating a safe environment in your home or theirs. This can involve removing clutter to clear pathways to reduce fall risks, securing loose rugs, installing grab bars, and ensuring good lighting. These measures may go a long way toward preventing slips and falls that may cause injuries.

Invest in Technology

Healthcare technology has grown in leaps and bounds, especially regarding devices and tech for people living with dementia. You may enjoy much-needed peace of mind that your loved one is safe when you use monitoring devices, install emergency alert systems, and invest in GPS trackers.

Transition Them Into Memory Care

There may come a time when your home safety measures and technologies are no longer enough to keep your loved one safe. You may even be experiencing burnout relating to providing 24/7 care. In that case, don’t be afraid to explore Memory Care programs in your area.

Memory Care programs in reputable senior living communities are designed to meet the changing needs of seniors with dementia so they can live safely. Most communities prioritize many different safety measures, both in their housing and in shared spaces. Memory Care programs also have secure living environments for peace of mind.  

Establish Routines

While the average person may thrive on not planning their days, the same can’t always be said for people with dementia. Routines can be important for structure, comfort, and safety.

If you’re your loved one’s caregiver, you can establish consistent routines for meals, activities, and bedtime. Rest assured that most Memory Care programs also create consistent routines for their residents to make them feel more comfortable.

Monitor Health and Medications

There may come a time when your loved one becomes unable to manage their own health and medications. At this point, support people need to step in. To help your loved one maintain their health, keep track of their healthcare appointments, monitor their health conditions, and use pill organizers to keep their medications in order.

Learn More About Memory Care for Safety

Having a loved one living with dementia can be overwhelming, especially when you’re struggling with their safety. If the time has come to explore Memory Care programs, look no further than Landon Ridge Alamo Ranch Assisted Living & Memory Care.

We provide a standout Memory Care program with consistency, safety, and security to help your loved one get the most out of every day. Schedule your visit today.