Safety at Home: Protecting Someone with Dementia Without Taking Away Dignity

The 60-Second Takeaway

• Up to 60% of people with dementia will wander at some stage.

• Most injuries occur inside the home — not outside it.

• Small environmental changes significantly reduce risk.

• Daytime supervision reduces nighttime crises.

• Safety planning is an act of love, not control.

The Myth of “Home Is Always Safest”

Home feels comforting. Familiar furniture. Known hallways. The same kitchen table.

But dementia changes how the brain interprets space.

Stoves become hazards. Bathrooms become fall risks. Front doors become exits to somewhere that no longer exists.

Wandering, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, affects the majority of individuals with dementia at some point. It often begins quietly — pacing, checking doors, expressing a need to “go home.”

A Story: The Morning the Front Door Was Open

Caroline woke at 5:15 a.m. to silence.

Her father’s bedroom was empty.

The front door was slightly ajar.

She found him two blocks away, confused but determined.
“I’m late for work.”

He had retired twenty-five years ago.

That was the day Caroline realized love alone was not enough. Structure was necessary.

Clinical Safety Priorities

1. Wandering Prevention

• Install door alarms or motion sensors

• Consider GPS-enabled ID bracelets

• Camouflage or cover exit doors (visual cues reduce exit-seeking)

2. Kitchen Safety

• Remove stove knobs

• Install automatic shutoff devices

• Keep sharp objects secured

3. Bathroom Safety

• Grab bars

• Non-slip mats

• Supervised bathing if balance declines

4. Medication Oversight

• Locked pill dispensers

• Weekly pharmacist review to prevent polypharmacy risks

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults, and dementia increases fall risk due to impaired spatial awareness and judgment.

The Emotional Conflict

Caroline struggled most with this thought:

“I don’t want him to feel trapped.”

Safety measures can feel restrictive — especially when a parent once protected you.

But here is the reframe:

You are not limiting freedom.
You are protecting autonomy from preventable harm.

Why Structured Daytime Support Reduces Risk

One overlooked safety strategy is structured daytime engagement.

When individuals living with dementia have:

• Consistent routine

• Physical activity

• Social stimulation

They often experience:

• Reduced agitation

• Fewer nighttime disturbances

• Lower wandering behavior

At Clearday Clubs, members engage in supervised, structured activities designed to channel energy constructively. The predictable rhythm of the day reduces anxiety-driven exit-seeking behaviors.

For Caroline, enrolling her father at Clearday Clubs three days per week changed the evenings. He came home pleasantly tired. Night wandering decreased.

Safety improved — without confrontation.

What You Can Do This Week

1. Conduct a room-by-room safety walkthrough.

2. Add one simple safeguard (start small).

3. Track nighttime disturbances.

4. Explore adult day programming as a preventive safety strategy.

Closing Reflection

Safety planning feels clinical.

But underneath it is something deeply human:

“I want you here tomorrow.”