How to Help Someone With Alzheimer's Disease

If you are one of the 2.7 million Americans who care for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease, here are some things you can do to improve the person's quality of life.

Things You'll Need

• Childproof Locks
• Oven Safety Switches
• Safety Gates
• Plastic Cups
• Plastic Plates
• Plastic Storage Containers
• Raised Toilet Seats

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Learn as much about Alzheimer's as you can so you will know what to expect and how to be patient.

• 2

  Be sure to childproof your house the same way you would for a toddler. For instance, put a gate at the top of your stairs, put childproof locks on cabinets, and remove glass tabletops and other furniture with sharp edges that can cause injuries.

• 3

  Remove any items in your home that a person could trip over.

• 4

  Avoid using area rugs, which can slip and cause a person to trip and fall.

• 5

  Keep the temperature of your water heater low to avoid scalding by burning water, which is a common injury among people with Alzheimer's.

• 6

  Block off radiators with some type of fencing so the person does not get burned in the winter when the heat is on.

• 7

  Keep your basement locked.

• 8

  Clearly label any poisonous items, such as paint or cleaning supplies. Keep the poison control center's number on hand just in case an emergency arises.

• 9

  Remove any plants from your house that are poisonous if eaten.

• 10

  Remove the knobs on a gas oven, or ask an electrician to install a safety switch that will prevent an electric oven from being turned on by your charge. These efforts will help avoid a bad burn or a house fire.

• 11

  Understand that people with Alzheimer's often lock the bathroom door and then forget how to open it. Consider removing bathroom locks to prevent this from happening.

• 12

  Buy a raised seat for your toilet from a medical supply house to make things easier for a person with Alzheimer's.

• 13

  Be affectionate with the person. Holding hands, giving a massage and hugging all have a calming influence and can help the person feel good. Studies have even shown that touch can help reduce behavioral problems among people with Alzheimer's.