A thump or a dull crash that jolts you out of sleep. Family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s know the moments of terror all too well: the affected family member has lost his way in the house on his nightly walk to the toilet, has bumped into a door – in the worst case, has even fallen. This is not an isolated case in Alzheimer’s patients, because patients’ lack of orientation or inability to walk pose a great danger in a home environment.
Care mostly provided by relatives
Two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s patients are cared for by a relative at home. At the same time, an advanced stage of the disease in those affected requires a great deal of attention from their family caregiver. Memory disorders and orientation difficulties make everyday life more difficult. “Short routes from the bedroom to the bathroom are no longer found or the boiling pasta water on the stove is forgotten,” explains expert Dr. med. Maria Großfeld-Schmitz.
The physician works at the Initiative Dementia Care in General Practice (IDA), which is currently conducting a study to improve care for dementia patients and their relatives in Middle Franconia. “At an advanced stage of the disease, precautionary measures and changes in the home environment are necessary,” says the study physician. “They give the sick person and the relatives more security and thus, of course, make it easier for the whole family to live together at the same time.”
More safety for Alzheimer’s patients
Basically, the entire living space must be brightly lit. This helps Alzheimer’s patients find their way around and retain a certain degree of independence.
- Particular attention should be paid to night lighting on the way from the bedroom to the toilet, by which affected persons can orient themselves.
- In order not to increase the walking insecurity of patients, stairs and floors in the house should be equipped with non-slip coverings, loose carpets and runners should be secured by non-slip pads.
- Special attention should be paid to windows and doors. So that Alzheimer’s patients can not leave the house unnoticed, windows should only be tilted and, like house and balcony doors, secured by suitable locks. In general, no keys should be left in doors. The affected person may still be able to lock the door, but then may not be able to open it.
- In the bathroom, fixed grab bars are essential for safety in the shower, bathtub and toilet areas. Also, a chair in the shower often proves safer and more practical than a bathtub.
- In the kitchen, it is important to secure gas or electric stoves with automatic shut-off valves, gas detectors or temperature detectors. Washing and cleaning products should be kept in a safe place so that patients do not mistake them for drinks.
“These are only individual, important measures that make everyday life easier for the sick person and family caregivers. However, only changes should always be made in the home, which are necessary at the respective stage of the patient’s disease,” advises IDA study doctor Dr. Großfeld-Schmitz. “This is the only way to keep patients empowered in their remaining abilities and independence.”
Support in Alzheimer’s care
Through her work with the Dementia Care in General Practice Initiative, the study physician knows that advice and support for family caregivers and patients are important and necessary in many areas. This is where IDA comes in and aims to enable primary care physicians to provide counseling services for family members in addition to their medical services.
