It’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and it’s important to remember the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease and help those affected by it achieve the best quality of life and get the care and support they need.

As the population of people living with Alzheimer‘s continues to grow, more and more people are having to come up with new and improved ways of keeping their loved ones safe. For families of someone with Alzheimer‘s, safety is a major concern. From preventing wandering to falls, communicating with them, and handling challenging behaviors, families need to be prepared to meet the safety needs of their loved one as the disease progresses.

Here are a few tips to keep your loved one with Alzheimer’s safe:

• Make sure medications are secured and stored properly

• Install safety devices like alarms and locks to prevent wandering

• Set up a tracking system to monitor your loved one‘s whereabouts

• Get familiar with your loved one’s surroundings to monitor and report any changes

• Make sure the home is organized and free of clutter

• Have a contingency plan in place in case of an emergency

• Provide emotional support to your loved one

• Consult with healthcare professionals to manage challenging behaviors

Taking the steps to ensure the safety of your loved one with Alzheimer’s can be daunting, but it’s necessary for their health and well being. During this awareness month, take the time to learn about your loved one’s needs and put plans in place to ensure their safety.