[Last updated September 29, 2025]

An older adult woman is sitting on a couch holding the hands of someone who is out of the frame.
We share practical home safety tips for caregivers and family members supporting someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia who is living at home. Photo Credit: iStock.com/PIKSEL

Being a caregiver for a senior with dementia can be full of challenges. One of the biggest is trying to protect your loved one’s safety while enabling them to live at home with as much independence and dignity as possible. For someone with Alzheimer’s, the familiarity of home surroundings can be beneficial. But how do you manage the risks? We’ll show you a few common-sense changes you can make around the house to improve home safety and ensure your loved one’s well-being. 

Prevent falls

According to recent studies, the fall rate for older Americans with dementia is nearly 50%. Fall prevention should be at the top of the home safety list. Here are some tips:

  • Make sure every room in the house has adequate lighting. Look for any dark corners, hallways, and stairs that need more light. Add nightlights in hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
  • Clean up any clutter around the house, especially in high-traffic areas, and remove cords that could get underfoot. Use double-sided tape to keep throw rugs in place.
  • Secure large furniture, such as bookshelves, entertainment centers, or dressers that could tip over.
  • Make sure there are secure railings for stairs inside the house. Do the same outside for porches, patios, decks, or other exterior stairs.
  • In the bathroom, install grab bars in the tub and shower, and eliminate slippery surfaces with a nonslip mat or adhesive strips for rugs. If your loved one has mobility problems, a shower chair or transfer bench could be a big help.
  • Consider installing a raised toilet seat or adding a grab bar next to the toilet.
  • Garages and basements can pose all kinds of dangers. You may need to restrict access by using locks.
  • Purchase a medical alert system with automatic fall detection.

Keep your loved one from wandering

Wandering is a dangerous dementia behavior. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate the risks:

  • Consider installing monitoring devices on doors and windows that sound an alarm if opened.
  • Have your senior wear a medical ID bracelet with emergency contact information.
  • Talk to the neighbors about your loved one’s condition, and ask if they can help keep an eye out in case they wander from the home.
  • If wandering is a persistent problem, you may want to have your loved one wear a GPS tracking device. Programs like Project Lifesaver, which uses wristband trackers to locate lost seniors quickly, are available in many communities.
  • Try placing a black doormat in front of doors leading outside. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia sometimes have changes in visual perception that cause them to see dark-colored objects as holes and avoid them as if they might fall in. Based on a similar effect, you might try camouflaging a door by painting it the same color as the wall or covering it with a wall-colored curtain.

Keep them safe in the kitchen

One key to home safety is preventing accidents in the kitchen. Consider these precautions to keep your senior with dementia out of danger:

  • Get an automatic shutoff switch or safety knobs for the stove.
  • Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house, and test them regularly.
  • Keep items that could be dangerous, such as cleaning products or sharp knives, locked in cabinets.
  • If your senior lives alone, you’ll need to keep a watch for food that’s spoiled or past its expiration date.
  • Unplug or remove small appliances like toasters, coffee makers, and food processors. You may also need to disable the garbage disposal. 
  • To reduce the risk of scalding, keep the water heater set to 120°F.

Help your loved one with medication safety

If your senior with dementia is in the later stages of the disease, you’ll need to keep their medications out of reach. Even if they are in the first stages and still living alone, they may be overwhelmed with managing their own medication. These ideas could make things safer and more manageable:

  • Get an automatic medication dispenser.
  • Download an app like CareZone to help you keep track of prescriptions and remind your loved one when it’s time to take their medication. 
  • Use a service like DivvyDose or PillPack that delivers prescriptions in presorted packets marked with the date and time to be taken.

Create a relaxing home environment

One key to home safety for someone with dementia is making sure they’re content in the home. When they’re not feeling insecure or agitated, they’re less likely to wander or get into mischief. Here are some tips:

  • Avoid overstimulation and loud noises.
  • Eliminate clutter in the house.
  • Avoid unnecessary changes, such as moving furniture or rearranging.
  • Stick to predictable schedules and routines.

Consider hiring a home care provider

In-home care providers that specialize in helping seniors can assist with daily living tasks, provide companionship, and help stay on top of your loved one’s day-to-day condition. Some home care providers offer specialized memory care services as well.

Stay in touch

If your loved one is in the first stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia and still living alone, it’s very important to make regular visits and phone calls. If they are good with technology, you can text them or have video chats. This will allow you to make sure they’re safe, know what their needs are, and keep up with any changes in their condition. If you’re on good terms with the neighbors, you might ask them to check in on them from time to time and watch over things.

Be prepared for emergencies

An important part of home safety is being ready for emergencies. These two ideas could save the day in an emergency:

  • Look into getting the Vial of Life. This program provides current medical information on a single sheet, usually placed in a plastic bag and taped to the refrigerator door. Paramedics, police, or the fire department can use it in an emergency, and it could save precious time when seconds count.
  • Many fire departments around the country offer a Knox Box program. A Knox Box is a secure box placed outside the house that contains the house keys. In an emergency, first responders can access the box with a high-security master key in order to get into the house quickly without having to break the door. In a situation where your senior with dementia needs help but can’t let anyone in, it could be lifesaving.

Ensuring home safety for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia takes planning and regular attention. Simple changes, like improving lighting, removing clutter, and using safety devices, can make a big difference. Staying connected and checking in regularly is also important, especially if they live alone. With the right precautions, you can help them stay safe and comfortable at home.