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Support at home works best when it is built around the person’s current abilities and preferences, with safety changes made as needs evolve. Start by checking the home for immediate hazards, then adapt everyday routines, communicate calmly, plan for wandering, and bring in additional help when one caregiver cannot safely meet the person’s needs.
Make the home safer without making it unnecessarily restrictive
Alzheimer’s can affect judgment, perception, balance, and the safe use of household items. Review the home room by room, fix urgent hazards, and repeat the review as abilities change. Choose adaptations for the person and the home rather than installing every possible measure.
Start with hazards that can cause immediate harm
- Improve lighting and keep walkways clear; remove loose rugs and other tripping hazards.
- Store medicines, cleaning products, and other dangerous items securely.
- Check that appliances can be used safely. Stove safety knobs or an automatic shutoff switch may help where cooking is a concern.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and keep emergency contacts near phones.
- Set the water heater to 120°F to reduce the risk of scalds, as the National Institute on Aging recommends.
Adapt bathrooms and frequently used spaces
Grab bars near the tub, shower, or toilet, along with nonslip strips or mats, may make bathroom movement safer. A shower stool or handheld shower head may also suit the person’s needs. Choose equipment and installation appropriate to the home and the person; no adaptation guarantees that falls will not happen. Simple signs and clear, well-lit routes can help make familiar spaces easier to use while preserving opportunities for activity and social interaction.
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The National Institute on Aging’s home safety checklist and the Alzheimer’s Association home safety guidance offer further room-by-room considerations.
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Communicate in ways that preserve dignity
Speak to the person directly and respectfully. Hearing or vision difficulties can add to communication challenges, so consider whether a sensory problem may be getting in the way. Give the person time to respond rather than rushing to fill a pause.
- Reduce background noise and distractions, especially for an important conversation.
- Use clear, simple language and ask one question at a time.
- Break a task into manageable steps; demonstrate visually when that is helpful.
- Listen for the meaning or feeling behind the person’s words. If correcting or arguing is unlikely to help, respond to the feeling instead.
Communication abilities vary, so adjust your approach to what works for the person now. The Alzheimer’s Association communication guidance includes suggestions for everyday conversations and more involved discussions.
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Adapt daily care and routines as needs change
Daily support may involve meals, bathing, dressing, grooming, dental care, medication safety, and working with the person’s doctor. Familiar routines and activities can provide structure, but a routine that once worked may need adjustment as abilities change. Offer help with the parts of a task the person finds difficult while allowing them to do what they can safely and comfortably.
For health questions, medication concerns, or changes in care needs, work with the person’s clinician. General guidance cannot replace an assessment tailored to the person’s circumstances. The Alzheimer’s Association daily care guidance covers common areas of support.
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Prepare for wandering and emergencies
Assess wandering risk for the individual and plan ahead. Depending on the situation, planning may include arranging a companion or check-ins, and considering transportation alternatives if driving or getting lost is a concern. Revisit the plan when the person’s circumstances or abilities change.
The Alzheimer’s Association suggests considering out-of-sight exterior door locks as one possible home measure, but says not to leave a person living with dementia unsupervised in new or changed surroundings and to never lock a person in at home. Safety measures should not turn the home into an unnecessarily restrictive environment. See its wandering guidance for additional planning considerations.
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Choose additional help based on the tasks and care needed
One caregiver may not be able to provide all the support a person needs. First list the tasks, times of day, and types of assistance that need coverage. Then compare local options by the work they provide, the hours available, staff qualifications, and how well the service fits the person and household. Availability, cost, and insurance coverage vary by location and provider.
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| Support option | What it may provide | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Nonmedical home care | Help with personal care, daily activities, or companionship. | Which tasks are covered, the schedule, and the provider’s qualifications and fit. |
| Home health care | Skilled services such as nursing or therapy from licensed professionals when indicated. | Which skilled services are available and whether they meet the person’s needs. |
| Adult day care | Daytime support outside the home, depending on local availability. | Program suitability, schedule, and what support is provided. |
| Meal services | Help with getting meals, depending on local availability. | Service area, schedule, and whether the service fits the person’s needs. |
| Caregiver support groups and community support | Support through local groups and nonprofit, community, family, or faith-based networks. | Local availability and whether the group or service suits the caregiver and family. |
Ask a clinician, family and friends, or local service locators for leads. When contacting providers, describe the care needs you listed and ask how their services address them. The National Institute on Aging’s guide to getting help with Alzheimer’s caregiving discusses possible services, while the Alzheimer’s Association guide to in-home care explains the distinction between daily-living assistance and medical care.
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Get support before the plan becomes unsafe or unsustainable
Ask for help when the person’s needs exceed what one caregiver can safely provide. The National Institute on Aging puts it plainly: “Asking for help shows your strength. It means you know your limits and when to seek support.” A local support group or community network may be part of that support system alongside practical services.
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