Alzheimer’s disease impairs the senses
What caregivers need to know
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can cause changes in the ability to interpret what a person can see, hear, taste, feel, or smell, even though his or her sense organs may still be intact. The person with Alzheimer’s should be evaluated periodically by a physician for any such changes that may be correctable with glasses, dentures, hearing aids, or other treatments. Caregivers can often modify the home in the following ways:
Vision
People with Alzheimer’s may experience a number of changes in visual abilities. For example, they may lose their ability to comprehend visual images. Although there is nothing physically wrong with their eyes, people with Alzheimer’s may no longer be able to interpret accurately what they see due to changes in their brain. Also, their sense of perception and depth may be altered. These changes can cause safety concerns.
•Create color contrast between floors and walls to help the person see depth. Floor coverings are less visually confusing if they are a solid color.
•Use dishes and placemats in contrasting colors for easier identification.
•Mark the edges of steps with brightly colored strips of tape to outline changes in elevation.
•Place brightly colored signs or simple pictures on important rooms (the bathroom, for example) for easier identification.
•Be aware that a small pet that blends in with the floor or lies in walkways may be a hazard. The person with Alzheimer’s may trip over a small pet.
Smell
A loss or decrease in the sense of smell often accompanies Alzheimer’s disease.
•Install good quality smoke detectors and check them frequently. The person with AD may not smell smoke or may not associate it with danger.
•Keep refrigerators clear of spoiled foods.
Touch
People with Alzheimer’s may experience loss of sensation or may no longer be able to interpret feelings of heat, cold, or discomfort.
•Adjust water heaters to 120 degrees to avoid scalding tap water. Most hot water heaters are set at 150 degrees, which can cause burns.
•Color code separate water faucet handles, with red for hot and blue for cold.
•Place a sign on the oven, coffee maker, toaster, crock-pot, iron, or other potentially hot appliances that says, “Do not touch” or “Stop! Very hot.” The person with Alzheimer’s should not use appliances without supervision. Unplug appliances when not in use.
•Use a thermometer to tell you whether the water in the bathtub is too hot or too cold.
•Remove furniture or other objects with sharp corners or pad them to reduce potential for injury.
Taste
People with Alzheimer’s may lose taste sensitivity. As their judgment declines, they also may place dangerous or inappropriate things in their mouth.
•If possible, keep a spare set of dentures. If the person keeps removing dentures, check for correct fit.
•Keep all condiments such as salt, sugar, or spices away from easy access if you see the person with Alzheimer’s using excess amounts. Too much salt, sugar, or spice can be irritating to the stomach or cause other health problems.
•Remove or lock up medicine cabinet items such as toothpaste, perfume, lotions, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, or soap, which may look and smell like edible items to the person with AD.
•Consider a childproof latch on the refrigerator, if necessary.
•Keep the poison control number by the telephone. Keep a bottle of Ipecac (vomit inducing) available, but use only with instructions from poison control or 911.
•Keep pet litter boxes inaccessible to the person with Alzheimer’s. Do not store pet food in the refrigerator.
•Learn the Heimlich maneuver or other techniques to use in case of choking. Check with your local Red Cross chapter for more information and instruction.
Hearing
People with Alzheimer’s may have normal hearing, but they may lose their ability to interpret what they hear accurately. This may result in confusion or over-stimulation.
•Avoid excessive noise in the home such as having the stereo and the TV on at the same time.
•Be sensitive to the amount of noise going on outside and close windows or doors, if necessary.
•Avoid large gatherings of people in the home if the person with AD shows signs of agitation or distress in crowds.
•Check hearing aid batteries and functioning frequently.
This information was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging.
