Home Safety and Memory Changes: A Room by Room Look at Everyday Risks

Last month, we looked at how cognitive changes can make familiar surroundings harder to navigate safely. This month, we are taking a closer look at the living spaces themselves and the specific changes families can make to reduce risks throughout the home.

Looking at the home one room at a time can make it easier to identify where additional safeguards may help. Home modifications can reduce risks and make daily life easier, but they do not replace supervision or caregiving when a person can no longer safely manage on their own.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen can become unsafe even when a person still has the physical ability to cook. As memory and judgment change, families may need to add safeguards around appliances, food, medications, and other potentially dangerous items.

Safety changes may include:

• Choosing appliances with automatic shutoff features
• Supervising cooking when needed
• Using stove knob covers or other safeguards if operating the stove has become a concern
• Moving medications, cleaning products, knives, matches, and other potentially dangerous items to secure storage
• Keeping frequently used dishes, glasses, and food in familiar, easy-to-find locations
• Checking regularly for spoiled food or food that has been left out too long

If using the stove or other appliances is no longer safe even with reasonable precautions, that may be a sign that more supervision is needed in the kitchen.

In the Living Room or Family Room

The living room may be one of the most frequently used spaces in the home. Furniture, rugs, cords, clutter, and poor lighting can all create unnecessary hazards.

Consider:

• Keeping walking paths open and free of clutter
• Removing or securing loose rugs and keeping electrical cords out of pathways
• Making sure bookshelves, cabinets, televisions, and other large furniture cannot tip
• Choosing stable seating that is easy to get into and out of
• Keeping the room evenly lit and reducing dark areas that can make the space harder to navigate

When possible, keep the familiar layout and make targeted safety changes instead. Familiar surroundings can be reassuring, while unnecessary rearranging may create additional confusion.

In the Bedroom

The bedroom should be easy to use during the day and safe to navigate after waking at night.

Safety changes may include:

• Keeping a clear path between the bed, doorway, and bathroom
• Adding nightlights or other low-level lighting for nighttime use
• Keeping clothing and commonly used personal items within easy reach
• Removing small furniture, cords, or other objects from walking paths
• Providing stable seating nearby if sitting makes dressing easier
• Limiting or supervising the use of space heaters, heating pads, or electric blankets

In the Bathroom

Bathrooms already present fall risks, but cognitive changes can add concerns involving water temperature, fixtures, medications, and nighttime navigation.

Consider:

• Installing grab bars near the shower, tub, and toilet when appropriate
• Using nonslip surfaces in the tub or shower
• Keeping the route to the bathroom well lit at night
• Keeping frequently used toiletries easy to identify and reach
• Moving medications, cleaning products, and other unsafe items to secure storage
• Adjusting the hot water temperature to reduce the risk of burns

In Hallways, on Stairs, and Near Entrances

The spaces connecting one room to another deserve attention too. Changes in lighting, floor level, or depth perception can make once-familiar areas harder to navigate.

Safety measures can include:

• Keeping hallways, stairs, and landings free of clutter
• Providing good, even lighting between rooms
• Making sure stair railings are sturdy and easy to reach
• Removing loose rugs and other tripping hazards
• Making glass doors easier to see when necessary
• Using door alarms or other alert systems if wandering becomes a concern

Exterior doors may need additional safeguards when someone begins leaving the home without understanding where they are going. In that situation, changes to the door should be considered along with the amount of supervision the person now needs.

Beyond the Main Living Areas

Laundry rooms, garages, basements, utility rooms, and storage areas may not be where someone spends most of the day, but they can contain some of the home’s greatest hazards.

Laundry detergent and other cleaning products may need to be locked away or kept out of reach. In garages, basements, and storage areas, families may need to limit access to tools, ladders, lawn equipment, gasoline, paint thinner, and other chemicals.

It is also worth looking throughout the home for medications, alcohol, matches, sharp objects, and other items that may now require secure storage. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be kept in working order as part of the overall safety review.

Every home and situation is different, and these are only some of the safety measures families may need to consider as cognitive needs change. The Alzheimer’s Association is also a valuable resource for families navigating home safety. Visit alz.org for additional recommendations and a downloadable Home Safety Checklist that covers different areas of the home in more detail.

Familiarity and Purpose Still Matter

Making a home safer does not mean focusing only on what a person can no longer do.

Familiar routines and simple household tasks can still provide comfort and a sense of purpose. Someone may still want to fold laundry, set the table, or help with another familiar task even if they need reminders or assistance.

The task does not always have to be completed perfectly to have value. When it can be done safely, adapting an activity so the person can continue participating can help preserve familiarity, dignity, and a sense of purpose.

Know When Home Changes Are Not Enough

Home safety needs can continue to change along with cognitive abilities. Sometimes another modification is enough. Other times, the person may need more supervision, additional help in the home, or a different living arrangement.

If cognitive changes are leading your family to reconsider an existing estate plan or prepare for changing care needs, Wilson Law can help. Call our office at 866-603-5976 or reach out through our website to schedule a consultation.