Question

4. Consider a person diagnosed with Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s living at home. List 5 safety measures to use in this person’s home. Explain why each safety measure is appropriate with specific references to behavioural, cognitive and sensory changes experienced by a person with Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s.

Answer 1

alzheimer's disease is an irreversible form of senile dementia caused by nerve cell deterioration

Individuals with this disease experience cognitive deterioration and progressive loss of ability to carry out activities of daily living

The client experiences a steady decline in physical and mental functioning

SAFETY MEASUES RELATED TO BEHAVIOUR

Use night lights

keep stairs safe

reduce water temperature -set the thermostat on hot water heater to below 120 F [

check the lock and treat slippery surfaces ;place nonskid strips or mats in the bathttub and shower and consider removing locks from the bathroom doors

coginitive safety

- mark  glass doors ,windows and furniture -place a decal on glass at your loved one's eye level to help him see glass panes

lock all vehicles;consider covering or removing vehicles and bikes that are not frequently used because they have dementia issues

adjust the home phone and voice mail settings

keep computer equipment out of the way - if their is valuable documents in computer protect the files with passwords and create backup files.monitor their computer use

prepare for emergencies-Display emergency numbers and home address near all telephones

safety related to sensory changes

using every day objects,therapists can trigger emotions and memories in seniors who have lost their ability to connect with world around them

keep art photos in patient room -it can trigger emotions

instal smoke and carbon detectors in or near kitchen and in all bedrooms

install safety knobs and automatic shut off switch on the stove

remove guns and other weapons ,scissors ,knives,power tools and machinery

put a gate across the stairs if the person has balance problems