Alzheimer's and Touch

Alzheimer's disease may lead to descreased sensitivity to touch in some people. This can include a diminished ability to interpret feelings of heat, cold, or pain. To keep the person with Alzheimer's safe, you can: adjust water heaters to avoid scalding water, use warning signs, and remove or pad furniture with sharp corners.
 

Alzheimer's and Touch: An Overview

People with Alzheimer's disease may experience loss of sensation or may no longer be able to interpret feelings of heat, cold, or discomfort.
 

Alzheimer's and Touch: Suggestions

Helpful tips for preventing people with Alzheimer's from experiencing accidental pain include:
 
  • Adjust water heaters to 120 degrees to avoid scalding tap water. Most hot water heaters are set at 150 degrees, which can cause burns.
 
  • Color code separate water faucet handles -- red for hot and blue for cold.
 
  • Place a sign on the oven, coffee maker, toaster, crock-pot, iron, or other potentially hot appliances that says DO NOT TOUCH or STOP! VERY HOT. The person with Alzheimer's disease should not use appliances without supervision. Unplug appliances when not in use.
 
  • Use a thermometer to tell you whether the water in the bathtub is too hot or too cold.
 
  • Remove furniture or other objects with sharp corners or pad them to reduce the potential for injury.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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