Home Safety With Memory Loss or Dementia

Reviewed by Ylmard Grimaldi, LVN
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026

Memory loss from dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, can make everyday life less safe. A person may forget to turn off the stove, get lost, or fall. Small changes at home can help a lot. This page shares simple steps for families and caregivers. Keep checking the home as the person's needs change.

Start with a walk-through

• Walk through the home, room by room. Look for things that could cause harm.
• Fix the biggest dangers first, like loose stair rails and dim lights.
• Keep emergency numbers and the home address by every phone.
• Put working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Test them often. A person with dementia may not notice smoke or a gas smell.
• Use simple signs or pictures on doors, like "Bathroom" or "Bedroom."

Prevent falls

• Clear paths. Take up loose rugs and move cords out of the way.
• Use night lights in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom.
• Put bright tape on the edges of steps so they are easy to see.
• Make sure stairs have strong rails on both sides.
• Have the person wear shoes that fit well and do not slip.
• A change in floor color can look like a step. Try to keep floors plain and even.
• To learn more, see our Fall Prevention at Home page.

Wandering

Many people with dementia wander or get lost. It can happen at any stage. It can also happen in a car, not just on foot.

• Watch for signs, like restless pacing or saying, "I want to go home," even when they are home.
• Notice the time of day they get restless. Plan a walk or a calm activity for that time.
• Make sure they are not hungry, thirsty, or needing the bathroom.
• Keep coats, keys, and purses out of sight. These can make a person want to leave.
• Ask neighbors to call you if they see the person out alone.
• Keep a recent, close-up photo of the person. Police may need it.
• Make a list of places they might go, like an old home, job, or church.
• Never leave the person alone in a car.

Locks, alarms, and ID

• Put locks on outside doors up high or down low, out of sight.
• Use door chimes or alarms that sound when a door opens.
• Use a motion mat by the bed or door to alert you when the person gets up.
• Never lock the person in the home alone.
• Have the person wear a medical ID bracelet. It can list their name, "memory loss," and a phone number to call.
• Sew or write their name and your phone number in coats and jackets.
• Ask about a wandering response service or a GPS tracker.

The stove and kitchen

• Use stove knob covers or an automatic shut-off device.
• You can also turn off or unplug the stove when no one is cooking.
• Put "Stop! Hot!" signs near the stove, toaster, and iron. Keep signs away from heat.
• Unplug small appliances when they are not in use.
• Check the refrigerator often. Throw away old food.
• Lock up knives and sharp tools.
• Remove fake fruit or food magnets. They may look real.

Medicines and dangerous items

• Lock up all medicines, including vitamins and over-the-counter medicines.
• A family member or caregiver should give each dose. Use a pill box or a locked pill dispenser.
• Keep an up-to-date list of all medicines. Bring it to every visit.
• Lock up cleaning products, laundry pods, alcohol, matches, and lighters.
• Remove guns from the home, or lock them up with the bullets stored apart.
• Lock up power tools, gas cans, and poisons.
• If someone takes too much medicine or swallows something unsafe, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. It is free and open 24 hours a day.
• To learn more, see our Medication Safety at Home page.

Driving

Dementia slowly makes driving unsafe. The person may get lost, miss signs, or react too slowly.

• Talk about driving early, while the person can share in the choice.
• Watch for warning signs. These include getting lost on known roads, new dents on the car, near misses, and confusing the gas and brake pedals.
• Ask the doctor to help decide if the person should drive. The doctor may suggest a driving test.
• Plan other rides, like family, friends, or local ride services.
• If the person should stop driving but keeps trying, keep the car keys out of reach.

Bathroom safety

• Put grab bars in the shower and by the toilet. Bars in a color that stands out are easier to see.
• Use non-slip mats or strips in the tub and shower.
• Use a shower chair and a hand-held shower head.
• A raised toilet seat with handles can help.
• Set the water heater to 120°F or lower to prevent burns. Mark faucets "Hot" and "Cold."
• Take electric items, like hair dryers and razors, out of the bathroom.
• Lock up soaps, lotions, and mouthwash. They may look like food or drink.
• Stay close during baths. Do not leave the person alone in the tub.

Help for caregivers

Caring for someone with dementia is hard work. You need support, too.

• Call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. It is free, day or night. Help is offered in many languages.
• Ask family and friends to take turns helping.
• Ask about support groups and short-term "respite" care, so you can rest.
• Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to find local help.
• Take care of your own health. Sleep, eat well, and see your own doctor.
• Plan ahead for legal and money matters while the person can still help decide.

Call the doctor if

• The person gets more confused over a few hours or days. This can be a sign of infection, a medicine problem, or another illness.
• The person falls, even if they seem OK.
• The person is not eating or drinking well.
• You see new behavior changes, like anger, fear, or seeing things that are not there.
• The person has trouble sleeping most nights.
• The person has burning or pain when peeing, or pees much more often.
• You think a medicine is causing problems.
• You are worried you cannot keep the person safe at home.

Call 911 if

• The person is missing and you cannot find them after a quick search of the home and nearby area. Do not wait more than 15 minutes. Tell the police the person has dementia.
• The person falls and is badly hurt, hits their head, or cannot get up.
• The person suddenly cannot speak clearly, has a drooping face, or has weakness on one side.
• The person has trouble breathing or chest pain.
• The person is very hard to wake up.
• The person swallowed something unsafe and is very sleepy, has a seizure, or has trouble breathing.
• There is smoke or fire. Get everyone out first, then call.

Questions to ask the doctor

• What stage of memory loss is this?
• Is it still safe for my loved one to drive?
• Is it safe for them to be home alone? For how long?
• Could any of their medicines make confusion or falls worse?
• What changes in behavior should I call you about?
• Can a therapist check our home for safety?
• Is home health care right for us?

How Newstart helps

• Home health care brings skilled care, like nursing and therapy, to you at home. It follows a care plan from your doctor.
• Our occupational therapists can help with safe bathing, dressing, and daily tasks, and suggest helpful tools for the home.
• Our physical therapists can help with walking and balance to lower the risk of falls.
• Our skilled nurses can help manage medicines and watch for health changes.
• Our medical social workers can help families find community resources and support.
• Our certified home health aides can help with bathing and personal care, as part of the care plan.
• We teach the family what to do between visits.
• Ask your doctor if home health care is right for you.
• We accept Medicare and Medi-Cal. Coverage rules can be different for each person and health plan.
• Newstart Home Health Inc is licensed in 7 Southern California counties. We are currently serving Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties. We are also Medicare-certified.
• We provide skilled home health care only.

FAQ

Related pages

• Occupational Therapy
• Skilled Nursing
• Medical Social Work
• Certified Home Health Aides
• Fall Prevention at Home
• Medication Safety at Home
• Request Care

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH. "Alzheimer's Caregiving: Home Safety Tips." https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/alzheimers-caregiving-home-safety-tips (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
2. Alzheimer's Association. "Home Safety." https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/home-safety (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
3. Alzheimer's Association. "Wandering." https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
4. Alzheimer's Association. "Dementia & Driving." https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/dementia-driving (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
5. Alzheimer's Association. "24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900." https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
6. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Dementia - keeping safe in the home." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000031.htm (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
7. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Dementia and driving." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000028.htm (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
8. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Dementia - daily care." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000030.htm (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
9. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Alzheimer's Caregivers." https://medlineplus.gov/alzheimerscaregivers.html (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
10. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Poisoning first aid." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007579.htm (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)
11. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Delirium." https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html (checked Oct 19, 2026, PT)

Last reviewed: October 19, 2026