title: Early-stage Alzheimer’s: first signs and home adaptation for safety
description: Comprehensive guide on the first signs of early-stage Alzheimer’s and home adaptation: securing the kitchen, bathroom, stairs, fall prevention and wandering, practical arrangements for safe home care.
keywords: early-stage Alzheimer’s, first signs of Alzheimer’s, home adaptation for Alzheimer’s, securing home for Alzheimer’s, home arrangements for Alzheimer’s, fall prevention, home care
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Early-stage Alzheimer’s, first signs, home adaptation, safety, arrangements, prevention, home care
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Reading time: 26 minutes
"My mother is forgetting more and more, is it Alzheimer’s?" "My father got lost in his neighborhood, it’s concerning." "How to adapt the house to keep him safe?" "What arrangements should be prioritized?"
The diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s is a shock, but it is also the ideal time to act: anticipate, adapt the home, implement strategies to preserve autonomy and safety for as long as possible. Recognizing the first signs allows for early intervention. Adapting the home prevents accidents (falls, burns, wandering) and facilitates home care.
This guide helps you identify the first signs of early-stage Alzheimer’s and provides a comprehensive action plan to adapt the home room by room, with practical, low-cost, and effective solutions.
Table of Contents
1. The first signs of early-stage Alzheimer’s
The first signs of early-stage Alzheimer’s {#premiers-signes}
How to distinguish normal aging from Alzheimer’s?
Normal aging:
- Occasionally forgets a name, an appointment
- Recalls the information later
- Preserved autonomy
- Frequently forgets recent events
- Cannot recall the information (even with hints)
- Repeats the same questions
- Has difficulties with usual tasks
- Forgets important appointments
- Asks the same thing 10 times
- Depends on notes, assistance (whereas previously independent)
- Can no longer follow a familiar recipe
- Errors in budget management (which was always done)
- Gets lost while driving (on usual routes)
- Forgets the rules of a known game
- Doesn’t know what day it is
- Forgets where he/she is
- Has difficulties reading, assessing distances
- Driving problems
- Struggles to find words ("the thing for eating" instead of "fork")
- Stops conversation mid-sentence (loses the thread)
- Puts keys in the fridge
- Accuses others of stealing (because he/she can’t find them)
- Gives money to strangers
- Dresses inappropriately (coat in summer)
- No longer enjoys seeing friends, going out
- Stops hobbies
- New irritability, anxiety
- Distrust, depression
- Treatments (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors): More effective if started early
- Anticipation: Home adaptation, implementation of aids
- Early cognitive stimulation: Slows progression
Early-stage Alzheimer’s:
The 10 warning signs
1. Memory loss affecting daily life
2. Difficulties planning, solving problems
3. Difficulties performing familiar tasks
4. Temporal-spatial disorientation
5. Visual and spatial disturbances
6. Language difficulties
7. Loss, inappropriate storage of objects
8. Weakened judgment
9. Social withdrawal
10. Mood and personality changes
If several signs are present: Urgent medical consultation (general practitioner → neurologist → memory assessment).
Importance of early diagnosis
Benefits:
EDITH from the diagnosis: Daily stimulation, preservation of abilities.
Securing the kitchen {#cuisine}
Risks in the kitchen
Priority adaptations
1. Stove / Cooking plates
Major risk = fire (forgetting to turn off).
Solutions:
2. Knives, sharp objects
Solutions:
3. Household products
Risk = ingestion (confusion with drinks).
Solutions:
4. Appliances
Kettle, toaster, microwave:
5. Faucets
Risk = burns (water too hot).
Solutions:
6. Visual organization
Labels on cupboards (photos + text):
Facilitates identification, preserves autonomy.
Adapting the bathroom {#salle-bain}
Risks in the bathroom
Priority adaptations
1. Fall prevention
Floor:
Grab bars:
Shower seat:
2. Water temperature
Solution:
3. Locking
Problem: Risk of locking oneself in, or forgetting faucet left on.
Solutions:
4. Simplification
One soap (not 10 products = confusion).
Visual instructions (pictograms):
5. Lighting
Bright light, without shadow areas.
Motion detector (automatic lighting).
Securing stairs and hallways {#escaliers}
Risks
Adaptations
1. Stairs
Handrail on both sides (to hold on securely).
Non-slip strips on stair edges.
Excellent lighting (top and bottom of the stairs).
Visual contrast: First and last step in different colors (identification).
If moderate/severe stage: Consider a safety gate (prevents unsupervised access).
Alternative: Ground floor bedroom (avoid daily stairs).
2. Hallways
Continuous lighting (motion detectors).
Remove carpets, cables on the floor (risk of tripping).
Visual markers:
Preventing wandering {#errance}
What is wandering?
The person leaves the home, gets lost, cannot find their way back.
Common in moderate stage (60% of patients).
Dangerous: Hypothermia, accidents, extreme anxiety.
Causes
Prevention
1. Secure exits
Front door:
Garden:
2. GPS bracelet
If wandering has already occurred:
GPS bracelet/watch (real-time geolocation).
Allows for quick recovery.
Models: Weenect, LimmaCare, etc.
3. Identification tag
Bracelet, necklace, or card in pocket with:
If found by a passerby → Easier return.
4. Inform the neighborhood
Inform neighbors:
Local solidarity network.
5. Report to the police
If repeated wandering:
If wandering occurs: Immediate call to 17.
General home arrangements {#amenagements-generaux}
1. Lighting
Light = safety + markers.
All rooms well-lit (no shadow areas = confusion).
Motion detectors (hallways, bathrooms, stairs): Automatic lighting.
Night lights at night (bedroom, hallway to bathroom).
2. Visual contrast
The Alzheimer’s brain struggles to perceive low contrasts.
Solutions:
3. Simplification of the environment
Less = Better.
Remove:
Keep:
4. Temporal markers
Wall clock with large numbers (visible).
Calendar with day, date, month (large letters).
Daily calendar (tear off each day = ritual).
5. Adapted phone
Phone with large buttons with photos of loved ones (direct call).
Or remove phone (moderate stage) if risk of unwanted calls (police, bank...).
6. Key management
Hide duplicates (at neighbor’s, under secure doormat).
If often loses keys: Remove keys, helper manages.
7. Medications
Store under lock (risk of overdose or forgetting).
Pill organizer managed by helper (or nurse).
Reminder alarm for taking medications (watch, phone).
8. Secure outdoor access
Garden:
Allows for walks (important physical activity), safely.
When to adapt? Adaptation schedule
Early stage (recent diagnosis)
Priorities:
Still good autonomy: Discreet adaptations (preserve dignity).
Moderate stage (decreased autonomy)
Additions:
Increased supervision.
Severe stage (significant dependence)
Additions:
At this stage, consider nursing home if home care is too difficult/dangerous.
Financial aid for adaptation
APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance)
For dependent elderly people (>60 years).
Amount: Up to €1,807/month (GIR 1, maximum dependence).
Use: Home help, adaptations.
Application: Departmental council (CCAS).
PCH (Disability Compensation Benefit)
For people <60 years (early Alzheimer’s).
Aids for home adaptation (ramps, bars, etc.).
ANAH (National Housing Agency)
Grants for adaptation work (max 50% cost, capped at €10,000).
Conditions: Modest resources, owner or tenant (owner's agreement).
Tax credit
25% of expenses for equipment (grab bars, adapted shower...).
Max €5,000 (single person) or €10,000 (couple).
Insurances, mutuals
Some cover part of the adaptations.
Inquire.
Training to anticipate and adapt
Our Alzheimer training helps you to:
Free guide: Complete checklist for home adaptation.
Conclusion: Anticipate to secure and preserve
Adapting the home as soon as early-stage Alzheimer’s is diagnosed is essential to prevent accidents, preserve autonomy, and allow for home care for as long as possible. Securing the kitchen, bathroom, stairs, preventing wandering, simplifying the environment: these are all simple, low-cost adaptations that make a huge difference.
The keys to adaptation:
1. ✅ Recognize the first signs (early diagnosis)
2. ✅ Secure high-risk areas (kitchen, bathroom, stairs)
3. ✅ Prevent wandering (locks, alarms, GPS)
4. ✅ Simplify the environment (markers, contrast, light)
5. ✅ Stimulate cognitively (EDITH)
6. ✅ Request financial aid (APA, ANAH)
Every adaptation is an act of love, protection, and respect. Your loved one deserves to live at home, safely, for as long as possible. Act now.
DYNSEO resources for early support:
To adapt is to love. To secure is to protect. Anticipate, act, preserve. Your loved one is counting on you.
