A doctor has given advice on home safety for a person with dementia

Dementia is one of the most common age-related diseases, which makes everyday life difficult and requires constant support. Anna Shelobanova, gerontologist of the Warm Talks boarding house network, told Gazeta.Ru how to ensure the safety of an elderly person with dementia in the home.

To prevent possible dangers, such as eating expired products, the date of manufacture and expiration date should be prominently displayed on the packages. Decorative fruits and plants should be removed to avoid confusion with food. Cleaning products are better stored in inaccessible places, and an ordinary kettle should be replaced by a thermopot to reduce the risk of burns.

According to Shelobanova, because of the forgetfulness and absent-mindedness of a person with dementia, it is important to remove matches and lighters, and also take care of the gas stove - it should be equipped with a function of shutting off the gas supply, or it is better to replace it with an induction stove. In the bedroom it is necessary to remove carpets and mirrors, which can cause fright.

In addition, for complete safety, it is worth closing sockets with plugs, protect the sharp corners of furniture and fix the furniture so that when leaning on it a person can not fall. Thus, armchairs and chairs with armrests will be convenient for safe standing and sitting.

In the bathroom, it is worth using mats with suction cups and handrails for secure support. In addition, hot and cold water taps should be marked and the walls and floor should be painted in different shades to make it easier to navigate.

Hallways and corridors should be well lit by installing light fixtures and motion sensors. Room name plates can be pasted on doors. Door dampers could be installed to prevent accidental locking of doors.

The expert noted that to prevent an elderly person from being lost on the street, it is important to make sure that keys are not lying in plain sight and the front door is securely closed. Modern gadgets such as video cameras, voice assistants and smart watches can help monitor a person's condition and location, while smart locks provide additional security.

"In addition, health monitoring is essential. Special smart watches provide information about vital signs, general well-being and body position of an elderly person, which allows you to promptly respond to any changes," the doctor summarized.

Earlier, February 22, an expert of the social project Dementia.net, psychiatrist Maria Shtan said that depression may cause pseudodementia, which will be observed symptoms of neurodegenerative disease. It is noted that similar to dementia symptoms do not always indicate this disease. Sometimes they are caused by a temporary malfunction in the body, the so-called pseudodementia - a condition that mimics dementia, but is reversible.