โ
Position the mattress on the floor
๐ An older adult with Alzheimerโs disease who wanders and has a history of falls requires interventions that reduce the risk of injury.
๐ Placing the mattress on the floor minimizes the distance the client could fall when getting out of bed.
๐ Alzheimerโs disease can cause confusion, impaired judgment, and disorientation, especially during nighttime hours.
๐ A standard elevated bed can increase the severity of injury if the client attempts to get up independently and falls.
๐ A low sleeping surface is a least-restrictive environmental safety measure that does not prevent the client from moving freely.
๐ The surrounding floor area should also remain clear of obstacles and hazards.
๐ This intervention is especially appropriate because the client already has a history of falls.
๐ Therefore, positioning the mattress on the floor helps reduce fall-related injury.
โ
Install sensor devices on outside doors
๐ Door sensors or alarms alert the caregiver when the client attempts to leave the home.
๐ Clients with Alzheimerโs disease can wander because of confusion, restlessness, or inability to recognize their surroundings.
๐ Wandering outside can expose the client to traffic, extreme temperatures, getting lost, and falls.
๐ A sensor provides an early warning without physically restraining the client.
๐ The caregiver can respond promptly when the alarm indicates that an outside door has been opened.
๐ Environmental modifications are important components of maintaining home safety for clients with dementia.
๐ Sensors are particularly valuable at night, when the caregiver may not immediately notice wandering.
๐ Therefore, installing sensor devices on outside doors is an appropriate safety intervention.
โ
Put locks at top of doors
๐ Placing door locks high on outside doors can decrease the likelihood that a cognitively impaired client will leave the home unnoticed.
๐ Clients with Alzheimerโs disease may have difficulty recognizing unsafe situations because of impaired judgment.
๐ A lock positioned outside the clientโs usual line of sight can help prevent unsupervised wandering.
๐ Preventing nighttime wandering outside reduces the risk of falls, getting lost, and environmental exposure.
๐ This environmental modification allows the caregiver to improve safety without routinely using physical restraints.
๐ Caregivers should continue providing appropriate supervision because locks alone cannot eliminate wandering risk.
๐ Safe exit strategies should also account for emergency evacuation and fire safety requirements.
๐ Therefore, placing locks at the top of doors is appropriate for this client.