What is a home safety assessment?

Go room by room, fix immediate dangers such as loose stair railings and poor lighting first, then lock away hazards. The National Institute on Aging suggests locking up medicines, cleaning products and weapons, setting the water heater to 120°F, adding nightlights and grab bars, marking step edges with bright tape, and checking smoke and gas detectors, since a person with Alzheimer's may not smell smoke.

A dementia home safety checklist covers each part of the home where changes in judgment, balance or the senses could lead to harm. The Alzheimer's Association's list includes appliances with automatic shut-off, stove knob covers, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, locks placed out of sight, even lighting with night lights, no throw rugs or loose cords, locked medications and weapons, and grab bars in the bathroom.

A home safety assessment is a careful walk through the home to spot hazards for someone with dementia and decide what to change. The National Institute on Aging suggests going room by room, correcting immediate dangers first, and repeating the check as the person's behavior and abilities change. The Alzheimer's Association notes that Medicare's dementia care planning visit also includes an evaluation of safety at home and when driving.

Place locks out of the person's line of sight, such as a latch or deadbolt above or below eye level on outside doors. The Alzheimer's Association also advises removing locks on interior doors so the person cannot lock themselves in, and keeping a spare set of keys hidden near the door. It adds that the home should still encourage independence and not feel too restrictive.

Helpful devices include appliances with automatic shut-off, stove knob covers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and night lights in hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms. The Alzheimer's Association also suggests an automatic thermometer for water temperature, since the person may not tell hot from cold, and a motion sensor on the garage door. The National Institute on Aging adds a room monitor to alert you to a fall at night.