Many people whose loved ones suffer from Alzheimer’s disease struggle with the idea of leaving them home alone, worried about whether they’ll be safe — and yet, they know independence is important, too.
With that struggle in mind, a new “dementia-friendly” model apartment was recently constructed in New York City, aiming to show people how to make their home safer for people who have diseases like Alzheimer’s.
“It’s a lot of things people just really don’t think about,” Jennifer Reeder, a clinical social worker and director of education and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, told TODAY.
The apartment includes safety features like a stove cover and automatic fire extinguishers, a round table instead of one with sharp corners, a smart refrigerator that allows caregivers to see inside remotely so they know if someone has eaten, as well as design touches meant to enhance someone’s mood, like the