Written by Syncare Memory Suites & Assisted Living; clinically reviewed by Ann Hortillosa, RN, MBA, LALD.
Caring for someone with dementia can bring new worries each day. Maybe your mom has started forgetting to take her medicine. Perhaps your dad gets confused when he’s home alone. You want to keep them safe, but you also want them to enjoy their life and stay independent for as long as possible.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 19% of Minnesota residents are 65 or older. As more families face the challenges of aging, knowing how to care for someone with memory loss becomes even more important.
Here, you’ll learn five practical steps to help keep a loved one with dementia safe, comfortable, and supported.
Take These 5 Steps If Your Loved One Has Dementia
Step #1: Make Their Home Safer and Easier to Use
Start by taking a good look around your loved one’s home. Things that never caused problems before might now be dangerous. A loose rug could lead to a fall. A dark hallway might make finding the bathroom difficult. Even a familiar kitchen can become confusing when someone starts having trouble remembering how appliances work.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people with dementia may have trouble with balance, judgment, and knowing where they are. Making small changes around the house can help reduce some of these risks.
Walk through each room and look for anything that might cause trouble. Remove loose rugs, clear crowded walkways, and keep electrical cords out of the way. Add nightlights near the bedroom and bathroom. Make sure stairs have sturdy handrails and that frequently used items are easy to reach.
Pay special attention to the kitchen. Someone with dementia might forget to turn off the stove or leave food cooking too long. Depending on their abilities, you may need to supervise cooking or use appliances with automatic shutoff features. Keep cleaning products, sharp objects, and other dangerous items somewhere secure.
Bathrooms deserve extra attention, too. Wet floors can be slippery, especially for someone who has trouble walking. Grab bars near the toilet and shower may help. A shower chair could also make bathing easier. Ask a healthcare professional which changes would best fit your loved one’s needs.
Minnesota winters bring a few extra concerns. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can make outdoor trips dangerous. Keep sidewalks clear, provide good lighting near entrances, and make sure your loved one has warm clothing they can find easily. If they sometimes become confused outside, consider having someone accompany them during walks.
Try to make these changes without making the house feel unfamiliar. Keep favorite photographs, furniture, and personal belongings in their usual places when possible. Familiar surroundings may help your loved one feel more comfortable. The goal is to make their home safer while allowing them to continue doing the things they enjoy.
Step #2: Watch for Wandering and Changes in Behavior
One of the biggest concerns for families caring for someone with dementia is wandering. Your loved one might leave home to visit a familiar place and forget how to return. They may also become confused about where they are, even in a neighborhood they’ve known for years.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that six out of ten people with dementia will wander at least once. Some experience this problem more than once. That’s why it’s important to watch for early warning signs and have a plan before something happens.
Pay attention if your loved one starts talking about going to work, even though they’ve been retired for years. They might ask to go home while sitting in their own living room. Other warning signs include pacing, becoming restless, or having trouble finding familiar rooms.
If you notice these changes, start thinking about ways to make their surroundings safer. Door alarms can alert family members when someone leaves the house. You might also consider a location-sharing device that helps you find your loved one if they become lost. These tools can help, but they don’t replace supervision when it’s needed.
Daily routines may also help reduce confusion. Try keeping meals, walks, and bedtime around the same time each day. Give your loved one familiar things to do, such as folding towels, watering plants, or looking through family photographs. Activities should match what they can comfortably and safely manage.
Remember that someone with dementia may have a reason for wanting to leave. They might be looking for a family member or trying to complete an old responsibility. Instead of arguing, listen to what they’re saying. Offer reassurance and gently guide them toward something familiar.
Have an emergency plan ready. Keep a recent photograph of your loved one and make sure family members know what to do if they disappear. If someone with dementia goes missing, begin looking immediately and contact emergency services promptly. Don’t assume they’ll find their way home.
Minnesota’s cold weather makes wandering especially concerning during winter. Someone who leaves without a coat or proper shoes could face serious danger. Review your safety plan whenever your loved one’s behavior changes.
Step #3: Help Them Manage Medicine and Daily Activities
Dementia can make ordinary daily tasks harder to remember. Your loved one might forget whether they’ve taken their medicine, skip meals, or wear the same clothes for several days. These changes can happen slowly, making them easy to overlook at first.
Medication mistakes deserve special attention. Someone might accidentally take the same pill twice or forget an important dose. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends working with doctors and pharmacists to create a safe medication plan for people living with dementia.
Start by making a complete list of your loved one’s medications. Include the name, amount, and time each one should be taken. Share this list with their healthcare providers, especially when prescriptions change. Ask whether a pill organizer, medication reminder, or direct help from a caregiver would be appropriate.
Don’t assume your loved one can manage medications safely just because they’ve done it for years. Watch for missed doses, confusion about instructions, or pills left in unexpected places. If you’re concerned, speak with their doctor or pharmacist before making changes to their medication routine.
Meals can become difficult, too. Someone with memory loss may forget to eat or struggle to prepare food. Try keeping easy meals available and eating together when possible. You may also need to remind them to drink water throughout the day.
Pay attention to personal care. Is your loved one bathing regularly? Are they changing their clothes? Can they use the bathroom safely? Some people need reminders, while others eventually need hands-on assistance. Offer help privately and respectfully, giving them choices whenever possible.
For example, instead of telling your mom that she needs to change her clothes, you might ask whether she’d prefer her blue sweater or green one. Small choices can help her feel involved in her own care.
It’s also important to notice changes in what your loved one can do. Someone who once prepared dinner every evening might now struggle to make a sandwich. Write down these changes and discuss them with their healthcare provider. If confusion appears suddenly or becomes much worse, seek prompt medical advice rather than assuming it’s part of dementia.
The amount of help someone needs can change over time. Regular check-ins will help you understand when they need more support.
Step #4: Keep Them Connected to Family and Familiar Activities
Spending time with other people can be an important part of life for someone with dementia. Your loved one may have trouble following conversations or remembering names, but that doesn’t mean they no longer enjoy company.
Try to make regular visits part of their week. Sit together over coffee, listen to favorite songs, or look through old family photographs. You don’t need to plan something special every time. Sometimes, sitting together and talking about familiar things is enough.
The Alzheimer’s Association explains that familiar activities can help people with dementia stay involved in daily life. These activities may also help reduce restlessness or wandering. Choose things your loved one already enjoys rather than expecting them to learn something new.
For example, someone who enjoyed gardening might still like watering flowers. A former cook might enjoy helping set the table. If your dad always loved baseball, watching a Twins game together could be a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Keep activities simple and pay attention to how your loved one responds. If they become tired or frustrated, take a break. Don’t worry if they can’t finish something or do it exactly as they once did. What matters is that they’re comfortable and enjoying themselves.
Be patient during conversations, too. Your loved one might repeat the same story several times or forget something you just told them. Try not to correct every mistake. Speak clearly, give them time to respond, and listen to what they’re trying to say.
You can also involve other family members. A short visit from a grandchild or a weekly phone call from a sibling may give your loved one something to enjoy. Just remember that large gatherings can sometimes become overwhelming.
In Minnesota, staying connected may take more planning during winter. When snow and ice make travel difficult, phone calls or video chats can help family members stay in touch. Choose whichever method your loved one finds easiest.
Step #5: Contact a Memory Care or Assisted Living Provider
There may come a time when caring for your loved one at home becomes difficult. Maybe they need help throughout the night. Perhaps they’ve started wandering, falling, or forgetting important daily tasks. These changes may mean it’s time to look into additional care.
You don’t have to wait for an emergency to explore your options. Speaking with a memory care or assisted living provider can help you understand what support is available and whether it fits your loved one’s needs.
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the number of older adults needing nursing home care is expected to grow by more than 20% between 2025 and 2035. That’s over 4,600 additional people. This shows why planning for future care needs matters, even when your loved one is still doing well at home.
Minnesota’s older population also varies by community. The Star Tribune has highlighted small cities such as Louisburg and Lilydale for their especially high median ages and shares of older residents. Families across the state may face different challenges when finding care close to home.
When looking at senior living options, remember that assisted living and memory care aren’t always the same. Assisted living generally helps older adults with everyday needs. Memory care offers more specialized support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
When visiting a community, ask how caregivers help residents who become confused or upset. Find out what happens if someone tries to leave unexpectedly. Ask about nighttime supervision, medication assistance, and how staff handle changes in a resident’s needs.
Pay attention to the daily routine, too. Are residents encouraged to take part in activities? Can they keep familiar belongings in their rooms? How does the community involve family members in care decisions?
Bring your loved one into the conversation whenever possible. Ask what matters most to them, whether that’s keeping a favorite chair, enjoying certain foods, or having family visit regularly.
Choosing care can take time. Visit communities, ask questions, and compare what they offer. Look for a place where your loved one can receive appropriate support while still being treated with kindness and respect.
Contact Syncare Memory Suites & Assisted Living
Keeping someone with dementia safe often starts with small changes. Making their home easier to use, watching for wandering, helping with daily tasks, and keeping them connected to family can all make a difference.
As their needs change, they may need more help than family members can comfortably provide. That’s when professional memory care or assisted living may be worth considering.
At Syncare Memory Suites & Assisted Living, we understand how important it is for your loved one to feel safe, comfortable, and respected. Our memory care and assisted living services provide personalized support based on each resident’s needs.
We offer 24/7 caregiver support, help with daily activities, secure living environments, and meaningful activities that encourage residents to stay involved. Our personalized memory-support plans also consider each person’s routines and preferences.
We believe residents should have opportunities to remain independent whenever it’s safe and possible. We also understand that families want to stay involved and feel comfortable asking questions about their loved one’s care.
If you’re exploring memory care or assisted living in Minnesota, we’d be happy to talk with you.
Call Syncare Memory Suites & Assisted Living at 612-747-3263 to learn more about our services or schedule a tour. We can help you explore whether our community may be a good fit for your loved one’s needs.