Just because someone suffers from dementia doesn’t mean that they can’t still live safely in their own home, as long as they have regular visits from an experienced and appropriately trained domestic care worker.
Safety is a key issue for those with dementia, especially if they are inclined to go walkabout. Here are some safety tips to keep your loved one safe.
Locking Doors
One way of physically preventing wandering is to lock the external doors in their home. Key-operated deadbolts or keypads are good solutions, but do bear in mind that some dementia sufferers can be become angry or confused if they feel they can’t go out.
One way of physically preventing wandering is to lock the external doors in their home. Key-operated deadbolts or keypads are good solutions, but do bear in mind that some dementia sufferers can be become angry or confused if they feel they can’t go out.
Identification
If the elderly person lives alone with regular visits from home carers, it’s sensible to provide them with an identity bracelet or pendant to be worn at all times. Make sure that the person’s name and address are engraved on the tag, together with your contact number and the words, ‘memory impaired’.
It’s a good idea to inform the person’s neighbours and the local police if the person has a habit of wandering. Provide a contact telephone number that you can be reached on 24/7 in case of emergencies, and give police a recent photo of the person so that they can quickly be identified if they are found wandering.
Wandering On Wheels
Although a dementia sufferer may not have driven a car for many years, in their reality they may believe that they still drive every day. For this reason, never leave your car keys where the person could pick them up.
Many elderly people were once regular cyclists in their youth. There’s no reason why they can’t still go for a gentle ride; the exercise and fresh air is a great tonic. However, keep bikes locked away when you or a carer is not around, just in case the person heads off for a ride and gets lost.
Protection With Freedom
One of the most concerning aspects of dementia is a sufferer’s tendency to wander and become lost. Follow the guide above to keep your elderly relative safe without making them feel like they are a prisoner in their own home.