Upon news that a 90-year-old patient had died after an unsecured wardrobe (closet) fell on her atthe county-run Summit Park hospital, I decided to call the Alzheimer’s Association, to seek their input on the accident. The patient had dementia. This morning, I got a call from Michele Muir, communications and public affairs manager of the Hudson Valley Rockland Westchester chapter. Now, she wasn’t going to comment on the specific situation (we did: look here). But she sent an email on the concerns about creating a safe environment for those with dementia. Here are some interesting comments (bolds are mine):

“Diseases causing dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, can affect the person’s visual acuity and depth perception. It can create balance issues. The environment where that person lives needs to be evaluated. For example, loose rugs should be removed or secured to the floor. Grab bars and handrails are important in showers, bathrooms and hallways. Faucets need to be equipped with anti-scalding devices. Loose and heavy objects must be secured. Prescription drugs, even vitamins, need to be out of reach. Appliances and stoves can be very hazardous. In some cases electrical outlets need to be disabled or covered with child-proof caps. A safe and secure unit is needed for persons who wander, a behavior which can happen in 60% of Alzheimer’s cases.
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It is very important to assess a patient’s needs, and to evaluate if the environment where they live or visit frequently. A person with Alzheimer’s cannot do this on their own, and as needs change, the care plan needs to change with it. Sound judgment and ability to know about safety issues is very important when acting on behalf of a dementia patient or other patients who may have physical impairments.