Safety and Independence

Safety in the Home

It is important when considering safety to remember that the person who has dementia has a right to be independent and our task is to balance that right with the need to help keep a person safe.

This page has information about measures that maintain both the safety and independence of the person with dementia and their carer.

If you have any queries about how to help someone keep safe or what equipment might be of benefit, it may be useful to talk things through first, before purchasing any equipment. The introduction of new equipment may present a challenge and may not always be accepted or practical at home.

Staff on the Oxfordshire's Dementia Information Line 01993 700061 will be able to provide you with further information.

Home Maintenance and Adaptations

Home adaptations need not be large to have significance. Something as simple as leaving the toilet door open can help the person with dementia to maintain their independence.

Adaptations to the home range from hand and grab rails to wheelchair ramps or specially designed shower and toilet facilities.

An occupational therapist (OT) can visit the home to assess whether items such as handrails, grab rails or level access showers/baths would be helpful. Most people find the OT's visit and subsequent adaptations very helpful, but waiting for the OT assessment can be a frustrating time.

You can contact an OT through Social & Community Services. A person with dementia is entitled to an assessment.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is a term used to describe any product or service designed to enable independence for disabled and older people. (User group consultation at the King's Fund, 2001).

Assistive technology can be used to help a person who has dementia preserve independence, while maintaining safety. Examples include gas shut off devices, door monitors, and flood detectors. The Alzheimer's Society factsheet Assistive technology has further information. The AT Dementia website also provides much useful information and advice on this matter.

Guideposts Trust Independent Living Centre (ILC) offers any adult in Oxfordshire a free and objective assessment and information service when looking for equipment to enhance independence. The Centre does not sell equipment but has a range of equipment on display for you to try.

Qualified Occupational Therapists (OTs) can assess your needs and demonstrate a range of equipment and Telecare products for daily living and mobility displayed in a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. If you would like to see an Occupational Therapist, please book an appointment. The centre can assist you to make decisions about the right equipment for you and tell you how much it should cost. They also keep up to date information on equipment from local and national suppliers and have an Information Helpline.

'Getting Equipped to Tackle Forgetfulness is a helpful booklet produced by The Foundation for Assistive Technology (FAST), Innovations in Dementia and Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (Trent DSDC).

The Signal Catalogue

The Signal Catalogue (Leics County Council) has a list of 'memory jogger' products such as calendar clocks, key finders etc. 

You can download this catalogue via the following link www.leics.gov.uk/signal_catalogue.pdf

General Upkeep of Your Home

The Anchor Staying Put service is part of Anchor Trust. The scheme offers assistance to older people and people with disabilities to continue to live in their own home. Repairs and adaptations can be made to properties, and assistance can be given in obtaining funding for these, e.g. via grants and benefits advice.

The Small Repairs Service acknowledges that it is often difficult and expensive to call someone out to take care of smaller jobs like fitting a plug, hanging a curtain rail, fixing a tap or installing a grab rail. The Anchor Staying Put Small Repairs Service provides a reliable service at a reasonable price.

More details are available on the website: www.stayingput.org.uk

Referrals are accepted form occupational therapists, self, or any interested party.

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Alerting Emergency Services

Care Alarms

People living In Oxfordshire can benefit from Community Alarms and fall detectors with emergency response. 

Information about Community Alarm services across Oxfordshire is available through the County Council website.  See also safety pendant alarms and sensors.

Carers Emergency Cards

Many carers worry what would happen to the person they care for should they be taken ill or have an accident.

Carers Emergency Cards alert emergency services to the fact that that you are a carer, with someone who relies on you. They have space to fill in your name and address, details of the person you care for, and two people who can be contacted in case of emergency.

The card folds up to credit card size, allowing it to be carried in purse, wallet or pocket. The carer should keep the card with them at all times.

Carers Emergency Cards can be obtained from the Carers Centres.

Message in a Bottle Scheme

The message in a bottle scheme allows you to store essential medical information, and medication details etc in a special bottle which is kept in the fridge. If an ambulance is then needed the crew will know where to find this information (alerted by stickers on front door and fridge).

Message bottles can be obtained from your pharmacist.

ICE Scheme (In Case of Emergency)

If you have a mobile phone you may want to use it to provide emergency staff with contact numbers in case of emergency.

In July 2005 East Anglian Ambulance Service launched the national "In Case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign, following events in London.

All you have to do is store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".

In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who you would want to be contacted.

For more than one contact number use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.

Carers Safety

Maintaining safety is not just about the person with dementia, if you are a carer your safety is important too. Maintaining carers safety includes issues such as potential damage to your back if lifting the person you care for, and appropriate management of aggressive behaviour, to prevent injury.

It might not always be easy to create the time and distance you need to address your own safety issues as a carer, and you have the right to have your needs assessed by Social & Community Services. This is the chance to have someone outside your situation look at what you are doing for the person you care for, and suggest what support or services are needed to maintain your health and well-being (e.g. training on how to lift properly). The Alzheimer's Society factsheet Looking after Yourself has further information.

Health Advice

For most health concerns your GP will be your first point of contact. In emergencies you can of course ring 999 for an ambulance. If the person with dementia has a minor injury, such as a cut that you think may require stitching, it may be better to seek your GP's advice initially rather than attend A&E, as casualty departments may involve long waits in a potentially confusing environment. If the person with dementia does need to attend A&E make sure that staff are made aware of the dementia diagnosis.

NHS Direct

If you are unsure about whether something needs medical attention, or would like general health advice, you may find it useful to visit the NHS Direct website.

The NHS Direct website is part of the National Health Service, and aims to provide high quality health information and advice.

If you are feeling unwell you can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for individual advice and information, given by nurses, 24 hours a day.

Further Information

The following Alzheimer's Society factsheets also have information that is relevant to this topic:

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Last updated:  5th April 2012