Remaining Independent

As dementia progresses, you will find that your abilities will change and you may start to worry about how you can maintain your independence. 

There are many things that you can do to ensure that you remain independent for as long as possible. These strategies range from making simple adjustments around your home, to enlisting the support of others to protect your safety and independence in the future.
 

 

Keeping it Simple

Even in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, people can benefit from simplifying a few areas of their lives.

Just by making several small adjustments, your ability to live independently on a  day-to-day basis can increase significantly. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Have a friend or family member over once a month to help with cooking. Make soups, lasagnas, or other dishes that can be frozen and re-heated for quick meals.
  • Arrange to have your meals delivered by an organization such as Meals-on-Wheels.
  • Have someone help you reorganize cupboards and drawers throughout your home so things are easy to find.
  • Label drawers so you can easily tell what's inside.
  • Identify simpler ways to do task (for example, from a seated position rather than standing).
  • Ask your doctor about simplifying your medication routine.
  • Have a friend or family member call you at a particular time of day to remind you to take your medications.
  • Post important phone numbers next to the phone in large print.
  • Keep a day planner next to the phone to write down appointments.
  • Place whiteboard with erasable marker on your fridge or a cupboard door to post reminders.
  • Arrange to have cheques, such as pension payments, directly deposited into your bank account.
  • Leave a set of house keys with a neighbour you can trust.


Safety at Home

Act now by taking steps to ensure that your home environment is safe. This will greatly increase your ability to continue living in you own home, both now and in the future.

  • Talk to your doctor about falls prevention.
  • Have regular vision and hearing tests.
  • Tell your doctor if your medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Install proper lighting throughout your home. Pay special attention to stairs (with a light switch at both ends) and bathrooms. Use night-lights in the hallways, particularly between the bedroom and bathroom.
  • Avoid the use of area rugs - they can be a tripping hazard.
  • Be sure to have at least one handrail (preferably two) on all stairways and steps in your home.
  • Add a strip along the edge of each step in a contrasting color to make it easier to see or use reflective anti-skid treads. 
  • Wear proper footwear. Avoid loose slippers or stocking feet.
  • Install grab bars in all bathrooms, by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower.
  • Consider a bath seat or bench so you can have a shower sitting down.
  • Get a kettle that whistles when the water is boiling or an electric kettle with an automatic shut-off. 
  • Post reminders (for example, reminder to turn off stove placed on wall beside stove).
  • Label and date food items.
  • Install a bed handrail to make the task of getting out of bed safer and more comfortable.
  • Use a rubber mat along the full length in your tub, and a non-skid bath mat beside the tub.
  • Consider installing a temperature limiting control device to the water heater.

 

Assistive Devices

Assistive devices may allow you to maintain your independence and remain in your own home for a longer period of time. The type of assistive technologies that you may benefit from depends on your needs and abilities. There are professionals who can determine if you would benefit from using an assistive device, such as a walker or cane.

Driving

If you have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, you may still be able to drive safely in the early stages of the disease. However, as your illness progresses, you may experience slower reaction times and impairments to your judgement.
 


Here are some pieces of information to help you understand the law around driving and dementia, and to help you make safe, informed decisions.

  • Driving requires highly complex interactions between the eyes, brain, and muscles. You must remember that dementia is a disease of the brain, which produces a progressive and irreversible loss of memory and function. Several studies have found that people with dementia are involved in twice as many accidents as other people in their age group.
  • Dementia impairs reaction time and affects peripheral vision, depth perception, and night vision. Problemsolving abilities also become compromised. A person with dementia is slower to react because of decreasing powers of concentration and memory.
  • The effect of medications may place you further at risk if you drive.
  • Now, or at some time in the future, when a doctor believes you
    are unsafe to drive, he or she has an obligation to make a report
    to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles who may remove your
    licence.
  • You can take charge of this decision by voluntarily giving up
    driving. Making the decision yourself may make you feel better
    about it and less resentful of others. You will protect your sense
    of dignity by doing the most responsible thing.

Positive aspects of giving up driving:

  • Saving on the operating costs of the car, freeing up a considerable amount for taxi fares.
  • Seeing more of the world as a passenger.
  • Family and friends not being so worried about you.
  • Protecting your safety and that of others.

Think about reducing your dependence on driving:

  • Walking is good for your health.
  • Find new “locals” such as coffee shops, stores, swimming pools, activity classes.
  • Use the savings from not operating a car to help you get to appointments by taxi.
  • Check if there is a volunteer driving program in your community.