Caregiver Guidance
Introduction: Between Love and Anxiety
Caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or similar diseases is perhaps one of the most demanding roles we can take on in life. We try to balance the fine line between our attachment to them and their safety. Especially when it's necessary to leave them alone at home for even a short while, both guilt and anxiety start to increase inside us. Our minds are preoccupied with the question, “What if something happens while I'm gone?” This is a natural feeling. Research shows that 82% of caregivers in Turkey worry when leaving their elderly loved ones alone. In this article, I want to share in the simplest and most humane way both scientific and practical answers to the question, “How can I feel more secure in this difficult situation?”
1. Identify and Prioritize Risks
Let’s start with an important fact: What we call “risk” is foreseeing what might happen and taking precautions accordingly. As cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's progress, the likelihood of forgetfulness, disorientation, misuse of household appliances, or wandering and getting lost increases. According to a review published in the British Medical Journal, people with dementia are 2-3 times more likely to experience falls compared to their healthy peers.
Falls: 70% of household accidents are related to falls at home.
Fire-related accidents: Forgetting to turn off the stove, not unplugging the iron, risk of fire.
Wandering and Leaving the House: Especially common in Alzheimer's patients due to loss of sense of direction.
Incorrect medication use: Missing a dose or double dosing risk.
Feelings of loneliness and panic: Risks of anxiety and crises.
Make a list of possible risks and determine which ones are more urgent for your loved one. Creating solutions tailored to the individual is a more realistic and manageable approach than general panic.
2. Making the Home Environment Safe
Organizing your patient’s surroundings at home can make a big difference through small details. Scientific research shows that environmental adjustments significantly reduce risks.
Locked Cabinets and Drawers: Keep dangerous objects such as medicines, cleaning agents, and knives locked away.
Gas and Electricity Safety: If they shouldn’t be using the stove, turn off the gas valve and unplug electrical devices.
Measures Against Minor Household Accidents: Secure rugs with non-slip pads, place grab bars on slippery surfaces, and add support bars in the bathroom and toilet.
Securing Doors: You can add chain locks or alarms to exterior doors. Adjust them so only you or someone you trust can open them.
Phone and Emergency Communication: Ensure the phone is organized and easily accessible. Post emergency numbers in large print on or near the phone.
Creating a simple environmental checklist will give you peace of mind every time you leave home. Remember, the main goal is to ensure their safety without completely restricting their freedom.
3. Using Technology for Support
We know technology can sometimes feel intimidating. But when used correctly, it can greatly enhance both quality of life and your peace of mind. Simple devices developed in recent years can help reduce acute insecurity.
Location and Movement Tracking Devices: Wearable devices like bracelets or necklaces can send alerts when the person is on the move or leaves the home.
Home Camera Systems: By prioritizing personal privacy, you can choose cameras (with talk-back or alarm options) for only essential living spaces.
Emergency Buttons: Buttons placed within easy reach that, when pressed, send an alert to loved ones or medical services.
Scientific data reports that the use of emergency call devices increases the rate of access to immediate help when alone by over 90%. However, when implementing technology, you should also be mindful not to disturb your loved one's privacy or make them uncomfortable. Involve them in the decision-making process.
4. Create and Share a Routine
Clarifying the day's flow and creating written plans are highly effective in reducing anxiety for both the patient and yourself. Here are some suggestions:
Notes and Reminders: Leave large written notes on the refrigerator or other visible places. Short reminders like which medication to take at what time, which items are in which room, can be lifesaving.
Timed or Alarmed Devices: Choose easy-to-use clocks and alarms to set daily routines such as TV time and mealtime.
Short Activity Lists: Simple activities (knitting, flipping through a book, watering plants) help pass the time and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Also, if you have a trusted relative or neighbor, don’t hesitate to ask, “Could you keep an eye on them while I’m away?” Research shows that using support networks reduces depression and burnout among caregivers by up to 35%.
5. Setting Limits to Short-Term Alone Time
One of the most important questions for safety is: “Is it truly safe to leave them alone, and for how long?” The answer depends on your loved one’s current condition. Clinical guidelines recommend the following:
For mild dementia and mild motor problems, being unsupervised for 30-60 minutes (with proper precautions) is generally considered safe.
Those with advanced cognitive impairment or a history of frequent falls should not be left alone. If necessary, consider neighbor supervision or remote monitoring options.
When determining the duration, it can be helpful to consider both personal and professional opinions.
6. Coping with Guilt
The last, and perhaps most important, consideration: your own feelings. Being a caregiver often comes with burnout, guilt, or feelings of inadequacy. The anxiety we feel when entrusting our loved ones to others or leaving them alone is a reflection of our deep sense of responsibility for their safety.
“The best care doesn’t come from an exhausted heart...”
If you have made a plan to keep them safe, trust yourself. Research shows that caregivers sharing experiences with each other helps reduce anxiety and guilt. Talking to a friend or another caregiver in a similar situation can bring you relief when you’re struggling.
7. Mini Checklist: Before Leaving Home
Did I check the stove, electrical devices, and water?
Are emergency contact numbers visible and easily accessible?
Are the doors secured?
Did I organize medications to prevent confusion?
Are communication or alert devices ready?
Did I inform a nearby relative or neighbor?
Did I plan a break or breathing time for myself?
Reviewing this mini checklist every time you leave will help provide peace of mind for both your loved ones and yourself.
Conclusion: Remember You Are There for Them
The most important thing for your elderly loved one is to feel valued and loved. Your efforts to ensure their safety are precious. Your small steps are great protectors. Remember, while no measure eliminates risk completely, being informed and prepared reduces anxiety and makes your time with loved ones more meaningful.
Resources
Alzheimer’s Association. (2023). Home Safety Checklist.
Rowe MA, et al. (2015). Risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. BMJ.
Turkish Alzheimer Association. Caregiver Support Guide.
World Health Organization. (2021). Dementia: Risk Reduction and Care.
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