Safety
The 33 sources listed below are each rated on how they can help caregivers better understand and manage safety issues for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
We have a separate section dedicated to Wandering.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
We have a separate section dedicated to Wandering.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%
National Institute on Aging (ADEAR)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
[PDF - 44 Pages] Comprehensive guide on home safety for people with Alzheimer's disease.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent85%
Alzheimer's Society
Geo Location: All (UK)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
[PDF - 40 Pages] This booklet is divided into sections that cover the following specific areas: 1) Lighting, 2) Flooring, 3) Furniture and furnishings, 4) Knowing where things are, 5) Eating and drinking, 6) Using the bathroom, 7) Keeping things in order, 8) Keeping safe, 9) Keeping active and engaged, 10) Getting outside. Plus a Checklist to list and track changes.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent85%
Dementia Care Notes
Geo Location: All (IN)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Extensive discussions on how to perfom home adaptations to help make the person with dementia be safer, happier, and more independent.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
National Institute on Aging (ADEAR)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Inside the home, outside the home, and room-by-room checklist to alert you to potential hazards and to record any changes you need to make. Has 23 bullet points for throughout the home. 10 suggestions for outside approaches to the house. 10 kitchen safety tips. 9 bedroom tips. 16 bathroom tips. 6 living room tips. 4 laundry room tips. 5 garage/shed/basement safety tips.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia
Laura N. Gitlin, PhD and Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L
Pages 28-34
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has a list of 7 questions to evaluate if it's safe to leave the person with dementia alone. Offers 23 general safety tips. 10 bullet points for outside the home. 50+ safety tips for inside the home listed by room.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
AARP
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 9 steps you can take to alter environment to make your home safer and easier to navigate. Has 10 tips for protecting a loved one with dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook
Sally Willard Burbank, MD and Sue Pace Bell
Pages 236-246
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with 6 tips on assisting up from a chair or bed. Lists 22 simple safety measures for the home. Discusses choking and many issues associated with choking. Provides instructions on the 'Heimlich Maneuver' both stand and for an unconscious victim.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide
Nataly Rubinstein, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM
Pages 249-280
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes the loss of senses and memory. Offers 10 key points to ensure a safe environment. 18 home safety tips for mild dementia. 7 tips to keep the living room safe. 9 tips for the kitchen. 10 tips for the bathroom. 6 tips for the bedroom. Plus 9 additional tips for home safety.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 18 general safety tips. Has 11 fire safety tips. 19 tips to preventing falls or improving mobility. 18 safety tips to improve activities. 9 tips to manage wandering. 4 safety tips for rummaging.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Alzheimer's Society
Geo Location: All (UK)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is part 1 of a 7 part series: 1) Keeping safe at home, 2) Making changes to your home, 3) Keeping secure at home, 4) Electricity, heating and water, 5) Fire risk, cooking and kitchens, 6) Stairs and reducing the risk of falls, and 7) UK resources.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%
National Institute on Aging (ADEAR)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 4 things to add and 6 things to remove to make your home Alzheimer's safe. Has 8 tips to prevent falls and injuries. Changes around the house for sensory issues: 7 sight tips, 5 touching tips, 2 smelling tips, 4 tasting tips, and 4 hearing tips. Plus 8 questions to determine if a person should be left alone.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's
Joanne Koenig Coste
Pages 61-76
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Overview of the physical environment with safety issues intermixed.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer's Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 5 changes caused by Alzheimer's in the brain and body that may affect safety. Provides 14 home safety tips.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimers.net (aka A Place For Mom)
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Offers a 5 point approach to home safety. Has 13 home safety tips for dementia.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Program
Paola Suarez, PhD
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
[Video 5:44] Scenario-based video that shows a caregiver and his father dealing with home safety issues in the kitchen. The video has four parts: common response, expert explanation, recommended reponse, plus 6 tips for dealing with home safety.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
VA Caregiver Support (US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with 5 tips to create a safe foundation at home. Has 4 ways to stop accidental poisoning. 9 safety tips to prevent falls. 14 tips to avoid burns. 4 safety tips to manage wandering. 8 ways avoid driving problems.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
VeryWell Health
Esther Heerema, MSW
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 15 safety suggestions to help a loved one remain at home longer.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer’s Research Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has 50+ questions to survey each area of your home for home safety modifications that can promote independence and prevent accidents.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)
Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH
Pages 68-75
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains the need look for warning signs that a person may not be able to take responsibility for their own safety. Describes safety hazards in the home. Discusses other safety issues such as: riding in the car, highways and parking lots, smoking, and hunting.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Understand Alzheimer's
Pages 45-52
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Explains how Alzheimer's affects judgment and can create hazardous behavior. Describes how to walk through the rooms in your house to improve home safety. Discusses how the caregiver needs to protect their own personal safety. Has 7 precautions to minimize dangers at home. Has a checklist with 27 safety items.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Mayo Clinic
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses evaluating the home for safety issues. Has 6 bathroom safety tips. 3 kitchen tips. 2 bedroom tips. 3 living room tips. 2 laundry room tips. 2 garage, shed and basement tips. 5 outdoor tips. 9 other safety precautions.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Dementia Care Central (National Institute on Aging)
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Offers 11 caregiver safety suggestions to keep your loved one with dementia safe and healthy in the home.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
WebMD
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Offers 4 safety tips on entrances and exits. Has 5 tips for the kitchen. 4 tips for the bedroom. 7 tips for the bathroom. Also has 8 general safety tips.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Senior Living
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This short guide has senior safety products and services for: medical alert systems, home security systems, identity theft protection, walk-in tubs or showers, shower chairs, high seated commodes, safety grab bars and handrails, stair lift, adjustable beds, and mobility devices.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Alzheimer Society Canada
Geo Location: All (CA)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides a home safety checklist with 10 questions. Has 19 home safety tips.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
Aging Care
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides suggestions on eliminating household hazards. Describes changes and modications to the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen to improve safety.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average40%
AARP
Amy Goyer
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 6 safety tips to reduce wandering and minimize the chance that they'll put themselves in danger.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average40%
Dementia Australia
Geo Location: All (AU)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has 20+ home safety tips. Plus a checklist to assess safety hazards.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average40%
Alzheimer's Hope
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 16 ways you can keep your loved one out of harm's way.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%
ALZSmart Score™ - Average25%
Today's Caregiver
Peter Ganther
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 6 tips to help outfit your home for better safety without making it too restrictive for the person with Alzheimer's.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory25%
Alzheimer's Basic Caregiving: An ABC Guide
Kathy Laurenhue, MA
Pages 85-92
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Review of the role of environment in patient's health, well-being, and safety.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory20%
The Dementia Caregiver
Marc E. Agronin, MD
Pages 112-113 & 119-120
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Offers guidelines for potential hazards in early stages. Also lists 6 suggestions on safeguarding the home environment.
