How to make a backyard safer for living with Alzheimer’s? ‣ MyFixitUpLife

This-galvanized-steel-and-stained-wood-planter-is-visually-easy-to-see-and-helps-define-the-yard.-2

By Theresa Design Design (Rx) Prescription HerFixitUpLife

Design strategies can help make it safer for your Alzheimer’s loved one to enjoy their backyards.

Are you worried about taking your Alzheimer’s loved one outside in nature, even in your own backyard? You aren’t alone. But there are a few ways to make it less stressful for you and your family.

Before you embark on an outdoor-nature-backyard adventure, let’s talk about physical readiness.

Getting ready.

Make sure your Alzheimer’s loved one is physically able to move around on potentially uneven nature surfaces, and can walk unassisted. If help is needed, make sure to stay be the person’s side while moving. And have a sturdy chair ready before you take your loved one outside, so you may need to head out to get things ready.

Comfortable, supportive shoes are a must for someone with Alzheimer’s enjoying nature, and if you can integrate stretching or something like Tai Chi into the daily routine, to keep muscles active and maintain balance, you’ll be less nervous with your loved one. And your loved one will have greater confidence about physical ability.

‣ MyFixitUpLife This galvanized steel and stained wood planter is visually easy to see, and helps define the yard. — This galvanized steel and stained wood planter is visually easy to see, and helps define the yard.

So let’s talk about how to make your yard safer.

Assess

Take an afternoon to review the backyard’s walking paths and repair any cracks or uneven surfaces that could be trip hazards.

Clean up

Remove leaves, acorns, or other Mother Nature mementoes that land on a backyard path.

If you have a backyard deck, make sure the deck is free of any slick algae or wet leaves.

Repair

Repair any locks on gates, and fill in gaps for fences, in case your loved one gets anxious and tries to wander off the property.

Stairs should have a sturdy railing to not only help with balance, but will help define where the steps are located.

Make a walking path.

Define a walking path in the backyard. A circular path is best, so your loved one can’t get lost no matter how large the backyard.

Create a garden.

Create raised garden beds so your loved one can engage in gardening, or if gardening isn’t their preferred hobby, it’s just easier for them to see and enjoy plants and flowers if they are closer to eye level.

If you have more ideas on how to make your backyard more enjoyable for your Alzheimer’s loved one, we’d love to know. Please share below in the comments section.

‣ MyFixitUpLife Not everyone has the budget or the space for this fountain, but keep in mind design elements that are traditional and familiar when implementing a backyard design plan. — Not everyone has the budget or the space for this fountain, but keep in mind design elements that are traditional and familiar when implementing a backyard design plan.

‣ MyFixitUpLife If you have the space, create a circular path in your backyard for your Alzheimer’s loved one. — If you have the space, create a circular path in your backyard for your Alzheimer’s loved one.

‣ MyFixitUpLife For someone with Alzheimer’s, they may see the outdoor world as a maze if it’s visually complicated. Simple is best. — For someone with Alzheimer’s, they may see the outdoor world as a maze if it’s visually complicated. Simple is best.

‣ MyFixitUpLife For someone who is from the southwest, a cactus in the corner of the room might be perfect way to bring outdoors inside. — For someone who is from the southwest, a cactus in the corner of the room might be perfect way to bring outdoors inside.

‣ MyFixitUpLife A simple bench in a calm yard can be perfection for someone with Alzheimer’s. — A simple bench in a calm yard can be perfection for someone with Alzheimer’s.

‣ MyFixitUpLife A-green-plant-in-a-sturdy-pot-out-of-the-walking-space-can-help-bring-outside-in-for-your-Alzheimers-loved-one.-2 — A green plant in a sturdy pot out of the walking space can help bring outside in, for your Alzheimer’s loved one.

Theresa

A handy designer and writer, she shares DIY projects, tool how-to, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. Plus, she has a degree in journalism with a minor in architecture, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant. She's created fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and shares home trends and DIY tips as a freelance writer and guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.

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