People who cannot think properly for themselves are far more likely to have accidents that the rest of us would be able to avoid. It is important to lock away poisons and medicines, to be wary of gas stoves and fires, and to take care over hot objects or those containing boiling water or other fluids. Trailing flexes, loose mats, and other hazards of this type should be tidied up and it may be necessary to put locks on certain doors and windows. Take particular care if a person with dementia is a smoker – never leave him or her alone with cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and matches. Make sure that the hot water in your system isn’t so hot that it can burn skin, if hands are unwarily plunged into a basinful or a person steps into a bathful.
If the stairs are a potential hazard, especially at night, consider installing a gate at the top, possibly with an attached alarm that will let you know when it is being opened. A similar gate may also be helpful at the bottom of the stairs. Make sure that the handrails on the stairs are adequate and if there aren’t any, you should think of installing some, as they can often be grabbed at the last moment if a person becomes unsteady.
Most accidents happen in the kitchen, with the stairs and the bathroom following closely behind. Think carefully about your own and ask relatives of other people with dementia about their experiences. It is better to take precautions to prevent an accident rather than have to cope with the consequences of one. Both the gas and electricity boards are aware of the problems posed by people with dementia and will advise and help in making cookers, fires, and other equipment safe. Rails around the toilet and near the handbasin, and non-slip mats in the bath or shower are also a good investment.
Lastly, don’t forget that you too will be more prone to accidents. It is well established that people who are living under additional stress and strain, constantly rushing to get things done and often exhausted from lack of sleep, are much more likely to have an accident. It is very important to take care of yourself.
*74\138\2*
