ACC Creating a Safe Environment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which door alarm feature is MOST appropriate for a person with Alzheimer's who tends to wander at night?
- A silent alarm that only alerts a remote caregiver's phone
- A loud audible chime that sounds when the door is opened (Correct answer)
- A timer-based lock that engages only during business hours
- A keypad lock requiring a four-digit code
Correct answer: A loud audible chime that sounds when the door is opened
An audible chime alerts nearby caregivers immediately upon door opening, which is the quickest intervention for nighttime wandering.
Question 2: When setting up a bedroom for a person with moderate Alzheimer's, which lighting strategy is MOST recommended?
- Bright overhead fluorescent lights kept on all night
- Nightlights placed at floor level along the path to the bathroom (Correct answer)
- Blackout curtains to promote uninterrupted sleep
- A single lamp controlled by a timer that turns off at midnight
Correct answer: Nightlights placed at floor level along the path to the bathroom
Floor-level nightlights illuminate pathways without harsh glare, reducing fall risk during nighttime bathroom trips while minimizing sleep disruption.
Question 3: A caregiver wants to reduce the risk of a person with Alzheimer's ingesting non-food items. What environmental modification directly addresses this?
- Placing colorful fruit in a bowl on the counter to draw attention to real food
- Storing non-edible items (soap, plants, coins) out of reach or in locked areas (Correct answer)
- Educating the person daily about what is safe to eat
- Installing a refrigerator lock so only safe foods are accessed
Correct answer: Storing non-edible items (soap, plants, coins) out of reach or in locked areas
Securing or removing non-food items from accessible areas eliminates the opportunity for accidental ingestion, which education alone cannot reliably prevent.
Question 4: Why are throw rugs considered a significant fall hazard for individuals with Alzheimer's disease?
- They absorb sound, making it harder to hear warning signals
- Their edges can curl and catch shuffling footsteps, and the person may not perceive them as trip hazards (Correct answer)
- They generate static electricity that can disrupt pacemakers
- They make it harder for wheelchair navigation
Correct answer: Their edges can curl and catch shuffling footsteps, and the person may not perceive them as trip hazards
People with Alzheimer's often shuffle when walking and have reduced hazard awareness, making curled rug edges a primary tripping and falling risk.
Question 5: What is the safest approach to managing medications for a person with Alzheimer's living at home?
- Leave all medications in a clearly labeled weekly pill organizer on the kitchen counter
- Lock all medications and administer them directly under caregiver supervision (Correct answer)
- Ask the person to self-report when they have taken their medication
- Place medications in the refrigerator to reduce the chance of accidental access
Correct answer: Lock all medications and administer them directly under caregiver supervision
Locked storage with caregiver-supervised administration prevents both missed doses and accidental overdose, which are serious risks in dementia.
Question 6: Which modification to an outdoor garden area BEST supports safe outdoor access for a person with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's?
- Installing a tall fence with a self-latching, caregiver-coded gate (Correct answer)
- Planting thorny hedges as a natural perimeter barrier
- Removing all outdoor seating to prevent prolonged unsupervised sitting
- Locking all exterior doors so the person cannot access the yard alone
Correct answer: Installing a tall fence with a self-latching, caregiver-coded gate
A secure fenced perimeter with a coded or high-latch gate allows the person to enjoy outdoor space safely while preventing unsupervised wandering beyond the property.
Question 7: A caregiver places camouflage covers over door knobs in a home. What is the intended effect?
- To prevent the person from distinguishing the door from the surrounding wall, reducing exit attempts (Correct answer)
- To improve grip for an arthritic person with dementia
- To alert the caregiver when a knob is touched via a pressure sensor
- To meet fire-safety requirements for residential care facilities
Correct answer: To prevent the person from distinguishing the door from the surrounding wall, reducing exit attempts
Camouflage door knob covers blend into the door or wall color, making knobs visually less identifiable and reducing the likelihood that a person with dementia will attempt to exit.
ACC Creating a Safe Environment 3
Which door alarm feature is MOST appropriate for a person with Alzheimer's who tends to wander at night?