This week, we here at Freedom Home Care have dedicated our blogging to in-home safety for sufferers of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our caregivers, based in Oak Brook, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake, Highland Park, Hinsdale and Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, understand that sometimes it’s necessary to place himself or herself in the position of the patient to anticipate potential dangers in the home.
“Caregivers will find that such approaches will be dependent upon the person for whom care is being provided,” say the editors at AgingCare.com. “The most important aspect of caregiving in a home is safety and security, for both the patient and the caregiver.”
Therefore, we’ve discussed how to implement safety measures in the bathroom and kitchen, and today, we will give an overview of how to do the same in the bedroom, according to AgingCare.com’s expert advice.
Just like the rest of the house, the bedroom is an area that can provide special challenges in safety. And as is true throughout the home, adequate lighting needs to be provided any time of the day, whether it be day or night. AgaingCare.com explains th

at many patients who suffer from various stages of Alzheimer's may fear the dark, and therefore, nightlights placed in the room may serve as a calming and necessary tool. Nightlights, or in type of adequate lighting, are also important for when an aging loved one needs to find the bathroom in the middle of the night.

And in the case of finding the bathroom when a room is dark and when a loved one has just woken up from a deep sleep, a large picture of a toilet or the word Toilet written on a piece of paper and posted on the bathroom door can be incredibly helpful. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your loved one’s bed clothing is easy to open and close so as to avoid accidents.
“In some situations, a caregiver may need to learn how to help a loved one use a bedpan or a urinal if nighttime trips to the bathroom are not feasible for a variety of reasons,” AgingCare.com explains. “Because of this, a communication system needs to be established for nighttime needs. An intercom-type system or even a bell to address calling for help for toileting, dressing or other needs should be implemented as necessary.”
No matter the level of need, Freedom Home Care caregivers are ready to help, and we encourage our patients and their family to talk to us when it comes to implementing further safety measures in the home. Just give us a call, and we’ll be sure to put your mind at ease when it comes to the well-being of your loved one.