A person with dementia can be prone to wandering and getting lost. They may be confused or disorientated in familiar surroundings. Even if they are in their home or outside in their own garden, there may be potential hazards. Here’s how to ensure the person remains safe.
Accompany the person on walks or trips to the shops, so that there’s less risk of them going out and getting lost on their own. While this doesn’t mean they won’t go out later in the day when you’re not around, it does reduce the need for them to go out on their own if they don’t want to.
You may want to recommend to the person’s family that they wear identity jewellery containing their personal details and medical information, such as a medical ID bracelet from MedicAlert. This will enable them to be identified and returned home safely if they go out and get lost or become unwell.
Try to keep the driveway clear outside the person's property if they have one. Clear leaves, overhanging branches and anything that may cause them to trip. Ensure hedges and trees are cut back.
Flag up any hazards you identify to the person’s family, such as latches and locks that don’t work, loose handrails, uneven paving stones or even loose paving stones. Encourage them to ensure that steps are clearly marked with bright or fluorescent tape.
If the person’s garage or shed contains hazardous chemicals or tools that can cause injury, make sure they are locked so that the person can’t access anything that may harm them.
Try to ensure there is plenty of outdoor lighting so that the person can move around and see where they are going.
A key safe outside can be a good idea. This will enable you and family members to access the property without knocking at the door and getting the person out of bed if they are asleep. It also means you can quickly access the person’s home in an emergency. Ideally it should be fitted somewhere that doesn’t make it easy to spot from the road, so around the side of the house where it’s concealed would be best.Â
This would enable the person to check who is coming to the front door before they open it. They may want to have it set up so that trusted family members receive alerts on their phones. While it may be harder for them to recognise loved ones over time, it may be useful in the earlier stages of their dementia when they recognise you, family, and friends.