How can I make my house safe for a family member with Alzheimer's disease?

An environment that's safe for the average family nearly always contains hidden hazards for someone who is mentally impaired. As you try to anticipate safety hazards, look at the world through the eyes of a cognitively impaired person. Conduct a thorough inspection of all areas in and around the house, looking for potentially harmful things that the person with Alzheimer's disease might misuse or misinterpret:

• Correct hazards that could cause tripping and falling: cluttered areas, extension cords, throw rugs, slippery floors, dim lighting, and uneven surfaces. The route from bedroom to bathroom should be clear of clutter and have night-lights.
• Lower the temperature on water heaters and insulate any exposed hot-water pipes. Block off radiators with furniture or a gate.
• Keep cleaning supplies, insecticides, gasoline, paint, solvents, and medicines out of reach or stored in cabinets with childproof latches. Get rid of poisonous houseplants, and put small items (pins, buttons, etc.) out of reach.
• Hide the stove knobs so the person can't turn on the burners. If you have an electric stove, install a switch that inactivates the burners, or switch off the stove at the fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have a gas stove, ask the local gas company for suggestions on how to disable it. Childproofing knobs may help here, too.
• Make certain that all stairs have sturdy handrails and good lighting. Install a gate at the top of the stairs.
• Install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom. Use a skid-resistant mat inside the tub or shower.
• Lock away all firearms, power tools, sharp knives and scissors, and machinery.