Safeguard your home against accidents

If you are caring for loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, their safety is your main concern. Because you’re dealing with the combination of childlike mind and an adult body, keeping them safe is not always easy. Like a child, they don’t understand danger. Like an adult, they are able to reach, open, close, and use potentially dangerous items.

Protect against household poisons

One of the most dan- gerous items is probably in your bathroom or kitchen right now -pine oil cleaning solution. Over 10,000 cases of pine oil poi- soning are reported each year, making it one of the most common methods of accidental poisoning.

Because it smells and tastes good, people with Alzheimer’s are likely to be confused and drink it. It doesn’t take much-as lit- tle as 8 ounces can be fatal. Although dying from drinking a pine oil cleaner is rare, the elderly are at greater risk because of gener- ally poor health and weakened immune systems. Accident-proof your home against this kind of tragedy by locking away all poten- tially dangerous substances.

If you suspect someone of accidental pine oil poisoning, check first for a pine aroma on their breath and then get them to a doctor quickly. Other immediate symptoms include headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sluggishness, lack of coordination, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Fend off falls

As people age from 70 to 80 years old, the num- ber of falls causing severe head injuries nearly doubles. Weaker muscles and joints, poor vision and balance, and certain medica- tions all contribute. But mental conditions, like Alzheimer’s, often leave even the most physically fit senior vulnerable to accidents.

Whether you have a short- or long-term guest with Alz- heimer’s, inspect the inside of your home. Examine the amount of clutter and the placement of extension cords, rugs, pets, and handrails. Be especially mindful of lighting stairways and halls and providing night lights. Outside, check sidewalks, steps, and your driveway for evenness; clear away plants and other natural materials; and provide lights and handrails.
Remember, head injuries only increase the risk of developing further senility.