Your mother has lived in the same house for forty years, and she can find the hall light switch without looking. As Alzheimer's progresses, some of those familiar spaces start to carry new risks, from a hot burner to a dark hallway at 2 a.m. For families in Boulder and Louisville, a slow walk through the home, one room at a time and with fresh eyes, is a practical way to make it safer while keeping it feeling like hers.

Alzheimer’s home safety is less about changing everything at once and more about noticing where everyday routines may now need a little extra protection. Senior Helpers can also help families adjust to changing needs while keeping familiar routines.

Start in the Kitchen

Burners and knives get more dangerous once short-term memory begins to slip. The first close call often happens here, like a pot left boiling dry while she goes to answer the phone. Stove knob covers or an automatic shut-off device can help, and her doctor or an occupational therapist can advise on whether she should still cook alone. 

Lock up sharp knives and anything poisonous. Leave the mugs and coffee she reaches for every morning on the counter or a low shelf, so she never has to climb. The step stool should go. If she has trouble finding things, tape a word or a picture to each cupboard door. Simple labels and pictures can make frequently used spaces easier to recognize.

The Bathroom

Put grab bars beside the toilet and inside the tub or shower, and lean your full weight on each one before she does to make sure they're securely installed. A shower chair belongs in there, too. Set the water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to cut the chance of scalds, and lay a non-slip mat inside the tub or shower.

Nights are harder. A plug-in night light along the path from the bedroom helps, and so does leaving the bathroom door open. Extra lighting can reduce disorientation and make the route easier to follow.

Bedrooms and Hallways

Clear the floors from wall to wall. Area rugs and throw rugs are a tripping hazard and should go, along with loose cords and the stack of magazines by the armchair, and hallways should stay bare and well lit, with switches she can reach the moment she walks into a room.

Her glasses, a water glass, and the phone belong on the nightstand. Everyday clothes belong in the top drawers. Some families lay out the next day's outfit each evening on the chair by the closet, which saves a lot of searching in the morning.

As part of Alzheimer’s home safety, keep frequently used items within reach so she can grab them without climbing, bending too far, or searching crowded shelves.

Doors, Stairs and the Garage

Wandering scares families most. Door chimes or simple alarms can let you know when an outside door opens, and some caregivers mount an extra lock up high, out of her usual line of sight. The Alzheimer's Association also suggests door alarms or bells and locks placed outside the person's usual line of sight, while cautioning against locking someone inside the home.

Stairs need sturdy handrails and good light at the top and bottom. Colorado winters add another job, because the entry steps have to stay salted and clear when ice or snow arrives, and ice by the back door is easy to miss. Lock the garage and any workshop, too. Secure tools, chemicals, car keys, and other potentially dangerous items if they are no longer safe to access independently.

For more guidance as needs change, visit the National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's and dementia pages and the Alzheimer's Association caregiving resources.

Help at Home in Boulder County

Grab bars and door chimes only go so far on their own. Alzheimer’s home safety also changes over time, so it helps to keep watching for new risks as routines and abilities shift.

Senior Helpers Boulder offers our Senior Gems® program for Alzheimer's and dementia care at home, including assistance with personal care, meals, mobility, and everyday routines. Families in Arvada, Boulder, Broomfield, Lafayette, and Louisville can contact us about support for a mother or father.