The patient/caregiver was educated on general home safety measures for Alzheimer’s patients as follows:
- Caregivers must shockproof electrical outlets and gadgets to prevent risk for accidents and electrocution.
- Caregivers must work towards observing compliance with medication intake by the patient, as prescribed, for management of Alzheimer’s. If the patient is independent at medication intake, caregivers can participate in providing timely reminders, filling the weekly pillbox, and checking the pillbox often to make sure of the medication intake. If the patient is dependent on caregiver assistance for medication intake, caregivers must observe compliance with administration of the medication dose on time, as ordered. In advanced cases of Alzheimer’s, it is safer to lock all the prescription and OTC medication in the medication cabinet and secure the key out of the patient’s reach.
- If the individual is a smoker, strongly encouraging for smoking cessation is recommended or allow smoking only during caregiver availability, under close observation. Do not leave the lighter with the Alzheimer’s individual. Having a fire extinguisher readily available and frequent inspection of smoke detectors in all the rooms of the house can be effective safety measures against fire accidents, more so, with Alzheimer’s patients living in.
