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Creating a Safe Home Environment |
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Written by Christine Lever
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Wednesday, 13 December 2006 |
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Page 3 of 12
Fall Prevention
If there is a danger of falling down the basement stairs you should install a lock on the basement door. If a door is not available you could install a gate instead. A gate should also be installed wherever there is access to stairs, especially as Alzheimer's sufferers become more and more unsteady on their feet as the disease progresses.
You may want to avoid shining or waxing floors if it will make them slippery. Also, reflections on floors can make it difficult for the person with AD to perceive depth. Sometimes, if the floor is particularly reflective, AD sufferers see things which may frighten them. Reflections on windows or mirrors, especially at night, are also potentially frightening.
Closing curtains or hanging things such decals or ornaments in front of windows or mirrors will help give a visual sense of depth, reducing falls or unsteadiness.
As the disease progresses, AD sufferers lose their sense of balance so you may want to make sure the treads on their shoes are neither too deep nor too worn. This will help prevent tripping or sliding on carpets. If you have rugs, it will be safer to remove them especially from areas where they present a potential tripping hazard.
Another danger is falling out of bed. If the bed is high, then so is the risk of injury from falls, and you may want to consider placing the box spring and mattress on or closer to the floor. This way, should your loved one fall out of bed they won’t have far to fall and injuries would reduced.
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