"Safety Dance", SSSS-AAAA-FFFF...how to keep your spouse safe
- jessica97150
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Safety at home and away is a major concern. Have you really looked around your house lately to see the dangers?
At some point, you realize… you’re basically baby-proofing your home all over again.
🔥 Gas Stove
Do you have a gas stove?
You will want to lock down the handles. Stove knobs are easy for a healthy mind—but not for an Alzheimer’s mind.
I used simple knob covers. Cheap, easy, and worth it.
💧 Water Overflow (THIS is huge)
Forgetting to turn off sinks was one of our earliest and most consistent issues.
Easiest fix: If you have pop-up drains, unscrew the top so the sink can’t plug.→ Worst case: you waste water→ Especially in the bathtub, some reason he was putting it down with every shower. Best case: you avoid a flooded house
Other options:
Motion or auto shut-off faucets (great for kitchen)
Under-sink leak detectors (I haven’t installed yet, but highly recommended)
🚪 Exit Awareness (Wandering Prevention)
I added indoor cameras to my existing outdoor system.
I use Blink (watch for Prime Day / Black Friday deals)
Cameras are placed to cover entry/exit points (not private areas)
Goal: know if/when someone leaves the house
I also added a smart garage keypad + camera (still installing).Memory + codes = not a great combo.
📱 Scams (Phone, Email, Social Media)
This one is tough.
What I do:
Check phone/messages a few times a week
Limit banking access
Set credit card alerts (mine notify me for anything over $100)
Lower credit limits where possible
There’s no perfect fix—but monitoring helps.
🚨 Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
Install CO detectors in garage and inside near entry
Especially important if you have gas appliances
🔒 Weapons
Guns, knives, anything that could be misused:
Locked
Removed if needed
Ammunition stored separately
☠️ Poisons
Hide everything.
Cleaning supplies, meds, yard chemicals—anything can be mistaken for something else.
➕ Additional Home Safety Suggestions
🚽 Bathroom Safety
Install grab bars (not suction—actual mounted)
Use anti-slip mats
Consider a shower chair
Set water heater to 120°F max (prevents burns)
💊 Medication Safety
Use locked pill dispensers or timed dispensers
Keep extras out of sight
Track doses (double dosing is common)
🧭 Visual & Cognitive Cues
Label drawers/rooms with words or pictures
Use contrasting colors (helps with depth perception)
Remove rugs that can cause tripping
🚪 Door Safety
Install door alarms or chimes
Consider locks placed higher or lower than “normal”
Use a stop sign or “do not enter” sign on exit doors (surprisingly effective)
🛏 Night Safety
Motion lights in hallway/bathroom
Bed alarms (if wandering at night is an issue)
Keep pathways completely clear
🧊 Kitchen Safety (beyond stove)
Unplug appliances when not in use
Lock up sharp utensils
Consider removing microwave if misuse becomes an issue
🚗 Car Safety
🎵 “Life is a Highway… but we need guardrails”
This is one of the hardest transitions.
🚫 Driving
At some point, driving is no longer safe. The biggest thing is with a DX of Alzheimers on file, you will always be liable because an attorney will pull medicall records and blame a sudden stop and rear end on YOUR driver with a DX diseased. I explained that to hubby, he agreed wasn't worth the risk, and he gladly rides "passenger prince" now.
Signs:
Getting lost on familiar routes
Slower reaction time
Poor judgment
Options:
Disable the car
Hide keys
Use a “mechanical issue” explanation if needed (less confrontational)
🔑 If They Still Ride With You
Always lock doors (child safety locks if needed)
Consider GPS trackers (Apple AirTag, etc.)
Keep ID on them at all times
📍 Emergency Info
Phone lock screen with emergency contact info
⛽ Gas Stations / Stops
Never leave them unattended
Even a quick “run inside” can turn into wandering
Disclaimer: (see full at main page)
I’m not a doctor—just a spouse sharing real-life experiences with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. What worked for us may not work for you, so always check with your healthcare provider.
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