Program Idea 3: Creating a Safer Home: Ideas for Caregivers

Title: Creating a Safer Home: Ideas for Caregivers

Description:

Orienting Caregivers to the tools available to keep their family or person safe. Assistive devices for seniors in memory care are specially designed tools or technologies that help individuals with memory impairments or cognitive challenges perform daily activities more independently and safely. These devices aim to enhance their quality of life, promote functional abilities, and support their overall well-being. Here are some examples of assistive devices commonly used in memory care settings.

Potential Audiences:

1. Caregivers
   1. Family Members
      1. Healthcare Professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists.
      1. Community Organizations and Volunteers
      1. General Public

Goal:

Advising caregivers on what to look for creating a safer home for adults with memory issues, while adapting to changes in their safety and behaviours.

Length:

45 minutes including questions and conversations.

Agenda:

Safety Considerations: Individuals with dementia may be prone to accidents or wandering. Caregivers should ensure a safe environment by removing potential hazards, installing safety devices, and implementing strategies to prevent falls and accidents. It may also be necessary to develop a plan to address wandering behaviors, such as using alarms or door locks.

SAFETY, FALL PREVENTION and MONITORING

Senior Safety is of great importance. Fall prevention is critical to senior safety. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or any form of dementia are often unaware of their own symptoms, and caregivers must take special precautions to keep them safe. Ensure that your loved one or patient avoids injuries by outfitting their home with senior citizen safety products. Senior monitors come in various forms. Bed, chair, and mat alarms are available with remote and mobile receivers. NO loud noise needs to frighten the patient but with our senior monitoring systems, the caregiver can be confident that receivers placed around the house and even on their person can keep them in constant communication.

To ensure senior safety, many products need to be locked up using a refrigerator lock to combat excessive food consumption and make sure that drugs are not available. Invisible cabinet locks give a clean look to the kitchen without baby proofing it. Besides senior monitoring systems, wandering prevention devices both in the house and outside are necessary. Seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia or any type of memory loss are in danger of wandering. Safety devices such as fire rated door murals and/or a simple stop sign are very popular.

GPS devices as well as emergency information wristbands are the cutting edge in senior safety technology. As a caregiver of someone with dementia, you may find them to – all of sudden be irritable with no apparent reason – BUT there is a reason. They may have fallen and broken a bone and are unable to communicate this to you. It is important to safety-proof your home and institute a fall prevention program.

Space, Logistics, Equipment, Materials and Supplies:

• Simple meeting room with chairs and table
• Book truck with items from the collection
• Refreshments

Potential community partners and outreach:

• Alzheimer’s Association
• Dementia-friendly Communities
• Memory Care Facilities and Senior Centers
• Healthcare Providers and Social Service Agencies
• Aging and Gerontology Organizations
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Community Support Groups
• Local Universities, Colleges, and Research Institutions

When approaching these organizations, it is helpful to have a clear vision of the library’s goals and resources. Be open to discussing potential partnerships, sharing ideas, and identifying areas where collaboration can benefit both parties. Building strong relationships with these organizations can enhance the library’s capacity to serve individuals with dementia and their families effectively.

Marketing:

• Pick and test a great and non-stigmatized program title.
• Work with your partners to communicate with potential participants and caregivers.
• Search and engage with local networks, seniors club and residences, and social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, etc.)
• Consider outreach and off-site programs.

Evaluation:

• Ask participants and caregivers for feedback for impact and improvement.
• Evaluate your program as a series and as an event.
• Collect feedback and testimonials.
• Engage partners and outreach sites in evaluation.

Tips: Look to the following websites for inspiration:

• Pinterest
• Association websites
• Other libraries
• MindCare: https://www.mindcarestore.com/

“The Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s Proofing Your Home”

https://www.mindcarestore.com/complete-guide-to-alzheimers-proofing-your-home-p/mc-2149.htm

Safety Tools from MindCare:

• Automatic Pill Dispenser by MedReady Senior safety – prevent accidental double dosing!
• Invisible Cabinet Locks w/ Magnetic Key Keep items locked inside cabinet doors and drawers!
• Electronic Pill Box Dispenser by MedQ Audio and visual alerts to take medication on time!
• Stove Shut Off by FireAvert | Gas or Electric Help protect from dangerous stove fires! 
• GPS Tracking Watch for Wandering Prevention | Theora Care Make calls & track location w/ one device!
• Wandering Alert Door -or- Motion Alarm Kits Monitor doors, windows or motion | expandable kits!
• Wandering Alert Alarm | SMPL | Add-On(s) Expandable alarm w/ Add On Sensors!
• Cell Phone for Seniors w/ Picture Dialing + GPS Limit incoming and outgoing calls w/ ease!
• Senior Cell Phone w/ Picture Dialing + GPS for All Networks Limit incoming and outgoing calls w/ ease | All Mobile Carrier Option
• Pill Box Dispenser by MED-E-LERT Safely dispense daily medications!
• Home Medical Alert – ResponseNow Allow independent living and added security!
• Safe Wander Bed Alarm + Sensor Award-winning wandering + fall prevention alarm! 
• Safe Wander Bed Alarm Sensor An extra sensor – or it can work by itself! 
• TAKBOARD | Memories Bulletin Board Pin up memorabilia + photos!
• teleCalm | Block Unwanted Calls An easy way to block incoming & outgoing calls!
• Wireless Motion Detector w/ Wander Alarm Help prevent wandering with motion detection!
• Door Alarm with Keypad Help prevent wandering at every exit! 
• Door Guardian A clever door lock to prevent wandering!
• The E-Z Out Car Door Handle Great support for getting in and out of a car!
•  Refrigerator Latches & Straps Discreet safety latch to prevent fridge access!
• Anti Scald Device Prevent burns and keep the bathroom safe!
• Automatic Medication Dispenser – Extra Battery Be prepared with an extra battery for all MedReady Medication Dispensers!
• Automatic Medication Dispenser – Extra Key An extra key is always handy!
• Automatic Medication Dispenser – Replacement Lid Easy to replace… keep an extra on hand!
• Automatic Medication Dispenser – Extra Tray Carousel and Cover An extra tray carousel and cover are great for storage and replacement! 
• Grab-N-Pull Seat Belt Reacher Very helpful gadget to help with the seatbelt!
• Self Adhesive Sign Set An effective way to help locate items and rooms!
• Stop Sign Banner Great deterrent for those who wander!
• Mobile Medical Alert Pendant – Belle Protect your loved-ones with this responsive pendant! 
• Invisible Cabinet Lock – Extra Key Always a good idea to have an extra magnetic-key! 
• Refrigerator Lock for Adults – with Padlock Heavy-Duty Refrigerator Lock for kitchen safety!
•  Automatic Faucet Control Turn on and off the water with a gentle push!
• Emergency Pendant Telephone – Additional Wall Mounted Speaker Microphone to the Emergency Pendant Telephone Dialer

Senior Sippin’ Spouts Multi Pack Transforms any water bottle into a Sipper!