How to Make a Nassau County Home Safer for Someone With Dementia

A safer home for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia begins with reducing fall risks, securing dangerous items, improving lighting, and creating a consistent daily routine. These simple changes can help a loved one remain comfortable and independent at home while giving family caregivers greater peace of mind.

During World Alzheimer’s Month, BrightStar Care Nassau County is sharing practical ways families can create a safer, more supportive home environment.

Why Does Dementia Affect Safety at Home?

Dementia can affect a person’s memory, judgment, balance, vision, and sense of time or place. Someone may forget how to use an appliance, mistake a change in flooring for a step, take the wrong medication, or leave home without remembering how to return.

Because a person’s abilities can change as dementia progresses, families should regularly look around the home for new risks.

7 Ways to Make a Home More Dementia-Friendly

1. Remove Fall Hazards

Clear clutter from walkways and remove loose rugs, electrical cords, and small furniture that could cause someone to trip. Install handrails where needed and keep frequently used items within easy reach.

2. Improve Lighting

Keep rooms, stairways, hallways, and entrances well-lit. Nightlights or motion-activated lights can make nighttime trips to the bathroom safer. Reducing shadows and glare may also help prevent confusion.

3. Secure Medications and Hazardous Items

Store medications, cleaning products, sharp objects, tools, and firearms in locked or secured areas. A trusted family member or caregiver may need to organize and monitor medications to help prevent missed or repeated doses.

4. Make the Kitchen Safer

Consider using appliances with automatic shut-off features. Stove knob covers or removing the knobs when the stove is not being used may help prevent unsafe cooking. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be tested regularly.

5. Reduce Wandering Risks

Wandering can happen at any stage of dementia. Door alarms, motion sensors, and identification jewelry may provide additional protection. Avoid locking someone inside the home in a way that could prevent escape during an emergency.

6. Create Simple, Familiar Routines

Consistent times for meals, bathing, medication, and bedtime can make the day feel more predictable. Use clear labels, written reminders, and a visible calendar when helpful, but avoid filling the home with too many signs or instructions at once.

7. Prepare for Emergencies

Keep emergency phone numbers, medical information, medication lists, and the person’s address in an easy-to-find location. Family members and trusted neighbors should know whom to contact if help is needed.

The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association offer additional home-safety guidance and printable resources for families.

When May a Family Need Additional Help?

Even with safety changes, a person with dementia may eventually require more supervision and assistance. Families may want to explore in-home dementia care if their loved one is:

• Wandering or becoming lost

• Falling more often

• Missing medications

• Struggling with bathing, dressing, or meals

• Experiencing increased confusion at night

• No longer safe when left alone

• Requiring more help than family caregivers can consistently provide

Professional in-home care can assist with companionship, personal care, meal preparation, daily routines, and supervision. It can also provide family caregivers with much-needed time to rest, work, or manage other responsibilities.

Dementia Care Support in Nassau County

Every family’s situation is different, and home-safety needs can change over time. BrightStar Care Nassau County helps families explore care options designed to support safety, comfort, and quality of life at home.

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in Woodbury, Syosset, Great Neck, Oyster Bay, or a surrounding Nassau County community, our team is here to help.

Contact BrightStar Care Nassau County to discuss your loved one’s needs and learn more about compassionate dementia care at home.