Home is often the place where a person living with dementia feels most comfortable and secure. But as dementia progresses, changes in memory, judgment, vision, balance, and spatial awareness can create new safety risks. The good news is that many of these risks can be reduced with relatively simple changes around the home.
Safety modifications don’t have to mean turning the house into a medical facility. The goal is to make the home safer while preserving as much independence, familiarity, and dignity as possible.
Here are 10 practical home safety changes to consider.
1. Reduce fall hazards
Falls are one of the most common safety concerns for older adults, and dementia can increase the risk. Start by looking for anything that could cause someone to trip or lose their balance.
Remove loose rugs, clutter, electrical cords, and unnecessary furniture from walkways. Make sure frequently used paths—especially between the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen—are clear and well lit.
If rugs are necessary, use non-slip backing to keep them securely in place.
2. Improve lighting
Changes in vision and depth perception can make it harder for someone with dementia to navigate a dimly lit home. Shadows can also be confusing and may sometimes be mistaken for objects or people.
Add bright, even lighting throughout the home, especially in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and other areas where falls could occur. Consider nightlights in the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom so the person can see where they’re going if they wake up during the night.
Avoid excessive glare, which can also make it more difficult to see.
3. Make the bathroom safer
The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house because of slippery surfaces and hard edges.
Consider installing grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower or tub. A shower chair, handheld showerhead, and non-slip bath mat can also make bathing safer.
If possible, consider replacing a traditional bathtub with a walk-in shower. Keep medications, cleaning products, and other potentially dangerous items securely stored.
4. Secure medications and cleaning products
A person with dementia may forget what medications they have already taken, accidentally take the wrong medication, or mistake a household product for something safe to consume.
Keep medications, vitamins, detergents, chemicals, and other potentially harmful substances locked or otherwise inaccessible. Consider using a medication dispenser or another system that helps prevent missed or double doses.
Don’t assume something is safe simply because it has always been stored in the same place. Dementia can change how a person interprets familiar objects.
5. Make the kitchen safer
Cooking can become dangerous when dementia affects memory, judgment, or attention.
Consider installing automatic shut-off devices for the stove or other appliances. Keep knives and other potentially dangerous kitchen tools secured if necessary, and remove expired or spoiled food regularly.
If the person still enjoys cooking, look for ways to preserve that activity safely. For example, they may be able to continue preparing simple meals with supervision rather than losing the activity altogether.
6. Prevent wandering and unsafe exits
Wandering or getting lost can occur at any stage of dementia. In fact, more than 70% of people diagnosed with some kind of dementia will wander. Someone may leave home because they believe they need to go somewhere, are looking for someone, or simply become disoriented.
Make sure exterior doors and windows are secure. Door alarms, motion sensors, or other alert systems can help caregivers know when someone is attempting to leave.
However, avoid simply locking someone in a room or using restraints. Safety measures should protect the person without unnecessarily restricting their freedom.
It’s also helpful to have a recent photo and identifying information available in case the person does become lost. Also consider enrolling a loved one with dementia in the Project Lifesaver locator program with the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County. Click here for more information on that program.
7. Secure stairs and other dangerous areas
Stairs can become particularly challenging as balance, depth perception, and judgment change.
Install sturdy handrails and make sure stairways are well lit. Keep stairs free of clutter and consider contrasting tape or markings on the edges of steps if they are difficult to see.
Depending on the person’s abilities, you may also need to limit access to particularly dangerous areas such as steep staircases, workshops, garages, or rooms containing hazardous equipment.
8. Check for fire and electrical hazards
Someone with dementia may forget that they have left something cooking, light a candle and forget about it, or use an appliance incorrectly.
Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries. Keep matches and lighters out of reach, and consider replacing candles with flameless alternatives.
Check electrical cords and outlets for damage, and unplug appliances that don’t need to remain connected.
If the person smokes, talk with their healthcare provider or caregiver team about ways to reduce fire risk.
9. Make important items easy to find
Safety isn’t only about preventing accidents. Making the home easier to navigate can reduce confusion and frustration.
Keep commonly used items in consistent locations. Consider simple labels or pictures on drawers, cabinets, and doors. For example, a picture of a toilet on the bathroom door or a label on a dresser drawer can provide a helpful visual cue.
Avoid constantly rearranging furniture and household items. Familiar surroundings can help a person with dementia feel more confident and oriented.
10. Reassess the home regularly
One of the most important safety changes is recognizing that a home that is safe today may not be safe six months from now.
Dementia is progressive, and a person’s abilities and needs can change over time. A person who could safely use the stove last year may no longer be able to do so. Someone who once navigated the stairs independently may eventually need assistance.
Make home safety an ongoing conversation. Watch for changes in judgment, balance, vision, nighttime behavior, wandering, medication management, and the ability to complete everyday tasks.
Safety Should Support Independence
Home safety isn’t about taking away everything a person enjoys. Whenever possible, look for ways to modify an activity rather than eliminate it.
Someone who can no longer safely prepare an entire meal might still be able to wash vegetables or set the table. Someone who shouldn’t walk outside alone might still enjoy supervised walks. And someone who needs help bathing may still be able to choose their clothes or participate in parts of their routine.
The goal is to create an environment that is safe, familiar, and supportive—while allowing the person living with dementia to remain as independent as possible.
If you’re unsure where to start, walk through the home from the perspective of the person living with dementia. Look for places where they could fall, become confused, leave the home unexpectedly, or accidentally access something dangerous. Small changes made early can make a significant difference in keeping someone safe at home. As always, you can contact the Alzheimer’s Alliance with any questions at 903-509-8323 or info@alzalliance.org.
