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Safety Products for Alzheimer’s Patients

Donna Nichols • September 20, 2021

Assisted Living Made Simple holds (3) three Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups a month and are often asked what are some good products to keep our loved ones engaged and safe?

We’ll start with some items to keep them engaged.

Products to keep them engaged

Fidget quilts – these are lap throws that have things to keep them busy like zippers, buttons, belts and ties. However, if you see they start to get frustrated or it becomes too difficult for them, take it away from them gently.

Fidget Quilts

Larger size puzzles – wooden puzzles designed to make it easier for the person to complete it and have a sense of accomplishment.

Large size puzzles

Therapy pets – these pets are designed to have a calming and soothing effect on Alzheimer’s patients. They are so life-like and give the person a sense of purpose again as they must care for the pet.

Therapy pets for alzheimer patients

Twiddle muff – almost like a fidget quilt on the outside, it too has buttons, ribbons and beads, but on the inside in a squishy ball for them to squeeze to keep their hands busy.

Twiddle Muffs

Safety products:

Senior Cell Phone w/ Picture Dialing + GPS – they won’t have to remember phone numbers, only look at the picture and push the one they want to call. These cell phones come with a GPS tracking system so you will know where your loved one is at all times.

Phone for seniors with picture dialing

Wander alert alarm – if your loved one lives with you and not in a memory care facility yet and they tend to wander, you must have an alarm on the doors. The alarm alerts you when a door is being opened and most of them do not require the internet.

Wander alert alarm system

Door confounding lock – this is a special Alzheimer’s door lock that does not look like a lock. It opens by sliding the inner tab to unlock; caregivers will be able to open the lock, but those with Alzheimer’s will not be able to figure it out.

Door Confounding lock for alzheimers patients

Mats with wireless remote sensors – you can place these mats in chairs and/or beds and if the person tries to rise without help it will alert you. This is an easy way to prevent falls.

Wireless remote mat sensors

Do not enter signs – these signs can be placed on doors leading outside or where combustible materials could be stored to deter loved ones from opening the door.

Do not enter signs

Safety in the Home

    • Have emergency numbers and home address clearly visible by the telephone
    • Avoid using extension cords; they are a huge trip hazard
    • Cover unused electrical outlets
    • Turn the phone ringer on low when not home and use an answering machine to ensure you receive your messages and the Alzheimer’s person doesn’t fall prey to scammers
    • Make sure you have smoke detectors installed in the kitchen and bedroom areas
    • Avoid clutter and keep walkways free of furniture
    • Clearly mark all medications with the person’s name, drug name and strength, dosage and expiration date. Locking them up will ensure no accidents can happen.
    • Keep steps outside sturdy and place textured strips on them to prevent slips in icy or wet weather
    • If you have a swimming pool, consider fencing it in with a locking gate
    • Remove propane tanks and lighters from grills
    • Set a small bench by the front door to place items on while unlocking the door
    • Install motion sensor lights outside to light the path while the person walks
    • Make sure bushes are well away from walkways
    • Place a no soliciting sign at the front door

There are many things you can do around the house to keep your loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia safe. It’s as simple as purchasing products or making simple adjustments to rooms around your home.

Should you find that Alzheimer’s or dementia has declined so far and you just can’t take care of your loved one anymore, please reach out to us ; this is what we do and we would be honored to assist you!

If you’re looking for other senior living articles and resources then click here.

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Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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