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What can someone with MCI or early Alzheimer's do to stay safe at home?
Staying safe at home is a common worry. Your care team can help your family make a safety plan.
Keeping someone with MCI or early Alzheimer's safe at home is a common worry. Your care team can help your family make a plan.
People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can usually still take care of themselves. They can do their normal day-to-day activities. MCI can still cause memory problems. A person may lose things often or forget appointments.
Alzheimer's disease can bring other changes that affect safety. A person may get lost in places they know well. They may have trouble knowing family members.
Later on, some people with Alzheimer's may feel anxious or act aggressive. Some may wander away from home. In time, they need full-time care.
Forgetting how to find your way home can be a sign of something serious. This is more serious than normal aging. It is worth telling a doctor about this.
Your care team will tell you what to watch for. They can help you plan for home safety as things change. Talk with your care team about any new changes in memory or behavior.
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This page is educational, not medical advice. Talk with your care team about decisions that apply to you. If something feels urgent, contact your care team — for emergencies call your local emergency number.
More about Alzheimer's disease & MCI
- What does it mean to have early-stage Alzheimer's, and how might it affect daily life?
- What is MCI (mild cognitive impairment), and does it always lead to Alzheimer's disease?
- What tests or scans do doctors use to diagnose Alzheimer's disease?
- How can someone with Alzheimer's communicate their wishes before memory loss gets worse?
- How is Alzheimer's disease different from the normal memory changes that come with aging?
- What do families need to know about driving when someone has Alzheimer's disease?