Caregiver Tips
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New shoes with leather soles that are shiny and smooth can be made safer by sanding the soles with some sandpaper lightly to remove the “slippery potential.”
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Ottomans and hassocks that are low and below eye level are best removed from foot traffic area. They are common tripping hazards.
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Be sure to wipe up spills as they occur, especially on tile or vinyl floors in the kitchen and bathroom areas.
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Shoes that hug the entire foot like a sneaker with Velcro closures or a flat heeled shoe are safer than slip-on shoes where the heel is exposed, or flip-flop type shoes.
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When your love one begins a new medication, watch for any dizziness or unsteady gait side effects and report those to the Dr. at once.
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8/08 Ideas for the dining room in your home.
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Set the table with colorful placemats and table cover to be seen, recognized, and further identify the purpose of the room.
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Decorate the dining room with pictures and paintings that reinforce the purpose of the room.
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Avoid excess background noises such as the dishwasher, water running from the faucet in the sink, or even phone conversations. This will create a calm atmosphere conducive to hearing and understanding discussions.
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If a chandelier has a bright and irritating view of the bright filament light bulbs, consider replacing them with frosted bulbs. The frosted bulbs are easier on the eyes, provide just as much light, and may be less of an annoyance and distraction.
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Consider Scotchguarding the carpeting as well as upholstered chairs. Some people find that a flat plastic mat, similar to one placed under an office chair, is helpful for spills.
5/08 Grab bars and railings.
- Grab bars and railings work well to not only assist one in getting up from the toilet and preventing falls, but in other ways also. They can benefit the person with Alzheimer's, the caregiver, and guests who can also use them to lean on when lifting or transferring a loved one.
- Grab bars in the shower should be installed on the far wall, opposite the shower door. That way, when the person turns, they will face away from both the caregiver and the shower exit. It functions both as a safety device, but also a “diversion,” redirecting the person’s attention from likely sources of agitation of escape from the shower or a “stranger” bathing him. It makes the bathing task a little more dignified and the person is likely to be calmer since they are helping with their own bath.
- Railings can also be used in long hallways to represent safety and prevent a fall, and can be used to outline a desired route to another room. This is especially helpful in the bedroom to bathroom pathway.
1/09 Fall Prevention Tips