A person with dementia may have trouble staying safe in their home due to memory issues, difficulty recognising their environment, trouble identifying risks, mobility problems and more. However, it is possible to make home adaptations in order to help you or your loved one to stay safe and comfortable at home for longer.

How to keep a dementia patient safe at home

The below checklist provides general safety tips on a room-by-room basis. But remember, each person’s needs and circumstances are different so it’s important to take your or your loved one’s specific needs and home into account when assessing and preventing risks. If the home in question is rented, you may also need to consult the landlord or letting agent before making any changes.

Dementia home safety checklist

Stairs and hallway

Stairs can present a significant challenge to people living with dementia. This can be caused by changes in depth perception, spatial awareness and difficulty telling the difference between colours. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of fall-related injuries.

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  Keep the stairs and hallway free from clutter at all times to prevent trips.
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  Make sure the stairs and hallways are well-lit.
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  Ensure carpets or floor coverings are in good condition. If they are worn or damaged, they could cause trips or falls so they should be replaced.
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  Don’t use rugs or mats on the floor if possible as the person with dementia may think they are an obstacle that they need to step over or go around.
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  Handrails should be installed on both sides of the stairway in order to reduce the risk of falls. You should demonstrate how to hold onto both handrails at once. Experts say that it is usually possible for people with dementia to do this in the mild to moderate stages of their condition.
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  Ensure that the edge of each step is easy to see. It can be particularly hard for someone with dementia to identify the edge if the floor covering is patterned. You can try to resolve this by painting the edge of the stairs or fitting stair edge trims in a contrasting colour. You may also want to consider adding tape that glows in the dark for night time.
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  Add a ramp if necessary.

The kitchen

The kitchen contains a variety of hazards, from sharp objects and hot water to gas and electrical appliances. These tips can help to keep people with dementia safe in this room.

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  Consider disabling gas stoves or ovens or installing ‘shut off’ devices in case they’re not accidentally left on. It is also possible to fit a special gas tap that loved ones can turn off when they leave so the person with dementia won’t be able to cook unsupervised.
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  Place all sharp objects and electrical appliances in securely locked drawers or cupboards to avoid the risk of injuries.
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  Keep all toxic cleaning supplies locked away.
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  Consider labelling cupboard doors or replacing solid cupboard doors with clear ones so it’s easier to see the contents.
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  If the person with dementia can use appliances independently, consider writing out simple instructions in case they forget or get confused.
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  Use waterproof or laminated labels to clearly label the hot and cold taps.
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  Place frequently used items on the worktop or in a low cupboard so the person with dementia isn’t tempted to try to climb to get anything.
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  Consider investing in assistive kitchen items such as jar openers, adapted utensils and mugs, non-slip placemats and shatterproof tableware.
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  Get a special sink plug to prevent flooding and scalds. These will automatically drain water once it gets too high and change colour when the water is too hot.
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  Replace stove-top kettles with electric ones as they automatically shut off once the water is boiled. To make pouring safe, you might want to consider a kettle-tipper.
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  Tidy all electrical wires away to prevent trips.

Bathrooms

From slipping in the shower to getting scalded by hot water or steam, there are several accidents that can occur in bathrooms. Here are our top safety tips for this area of the home.

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  Fit rails or handles next to the bath/shower and toilet in order to make them easier to access safely.
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  Consider fitting a bath seat or shower seat if there are any balance or mobility issues. You may also want to install a walk-in bath so that there’s no need to step over the edge of the tub.
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  Look into installing thermostatic taps and showers to avoid burns or scalds.
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  Use flood and scald prevention plugs in the sink and bath.
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  Get a toilet seat in a contrasting colour to the rest of the bathroom so it’s easier to identify.
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  Ensure all medication is safely locked away in a pill box or medicine cabinet.
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  Consider treating flooring with a non-slip coating or replacing existing tiles or linoleum with non-slip flooring.
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  Ensure surfaces are always wiped dry to prevent slips.
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  Get a nightlight for the bathroom or consider installing a motion-activated light.
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  Consider removing locks from the bathroom door so that the person with dementia can’t get locked in on their own.

Bedrooms and living rooms

A lot of time can be spent in these areas so it’s important they’re free from hazards. Follow these tips to keep these living areas safe and comfortable.

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  Keep these areas clutter-free to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
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  Remove any worn or damaged carpets.
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  Get a nightlight or touch-operated bedside lamp so the person can easily turn on a light if they get up in the night. Keep a torch next to the bed and living room chair in case of a power outage.
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  Add bedrails to the bed or consider replacing it with an adjustable hospital bed.
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  Consider covering or removing mirrors as reflective surfaces can cause confusion and distress in people with dementia.
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  Add stickers or decals to large glass doors and windows as they can be difficult to perceive for people with visual impairments.
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  Avoid using electric fires or portable fan heaters in case they’re accidentally left on. Instead set the central heating to come on at a comfortable temperature and, in the living room, leave a blanket within reach.

How can live-in care help to keep someone with dementia safe?

Coping with a dementia diagnosis can be difficult. People often wonder whether or not they’ll be able to continue living at home. Understandably, many people with dementia want to live in their own home as long as possible. Live-in dementia care and Alzheimer’s care services can help people to do this safely and with as much independence as possible. Experienced and knowledgeable carers can help to assess and minimise risks in the home and ensure you or your loved one can safely navigate their home.