Alzheimer’s Care Chapel Hill and Durham: Keeping Alzheimer’s Patients Safe Room-by-Room - The Bedroom

Helen Antipov

Those with Alzheimer's here in Chapel Hill and Durham need a bit more attention when surveying their surroundings. It requires a delicate balance to Ensure that your senior loved one remains as self-sufficient as possible, and yet safe around the house. For those caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia in Chapel Hill or Durham, that challenge increases ten-fold. Caregivers providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s must be diligent about identifying potential dangers in the home. Dangers such as throwrugs, inadequate lighting, loose baseboards and many seemingly innocent household challenges can prove to be catastrophic when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. It may seem like a daunting task to identify all of the risks in a home and then take corrective action, but it’s easier if you address hazards room-by-room.

The Bedroom

Lighting - Lighting becomes one of the most common hazards. Low and soft lighting, although good for comfort can create shadows that hide things that could create unsafe situations, Invest in nightlights and distribute throughout the room to make sure any potential dangers are lit.

Slippers - be sure these are placed in a way that they don't become tripping hazards when getting out of bed.

Clothing - Loose clothing that a foot can get caught in is the danger here. Be sure that bed clothes fit well and don't create a hazard.

Clutter - a danger throughout the home, but again, with softer lighting, it can create a real danger for nighttime bathroom visits. 

Communication - create some kind of connection through the night with either an intercom or a bell. A repurposed baby monitor can be helpful here.

A few minor adjustments can help reduce the dangers of a bedroom for your loved one with Alzheimer’s!

At Comfort Keepers of Durham and Chapel Hill, we understand the stress that caregivers go through. We are here to help you and give you the support you need when dealing with a loved one and Alzheimer's. Call us at 919-338-2044 or visit us at online.

Next Room: The Bathroom

^{REFERENCES
store.best-alzheimers-products.comThe Alzheimer’s Family Center Inc.The editors of agingcare.comThe editors of helpforalzheimersfamilies.com e-Learning Course, Class 5: safetyMayoClinic.comThe MedicAlert Foundation“A Guide to Safe Guarding Your Home For Alzheimer’s Patients,” by Carole B. Larkin for AlzheimersReadingRoom.com}