SOUTH POINT, Ohio -- Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming.

For the family member afflicted with Alzheimer's, even routine daily events such as hearing or seeing evening newscasts, can be truly terrifying. As a result, one of the greatest challenges for the caregiver is creating a safe and nurturing environment for their loved one.

With toddlers, the term is "childproofing." For those with Alzheimer's disease, there is no similar term, but the concept is the same.

Many things around the home that pose no danger to people in full possession of their mental faculties can be major hazards to people with Alzheimer's. And even though it is impossible to make any home absolutely safe for a person with the disease, there are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury, or your loved one getting into things he or she shouldn't.

Here are some tips to make your home safe and comfortable:

Limit distractions and control noise -- play radios softly, and turn the telephone ringer to low. You may want to consider removing telephones and televisions from the his or her room. If your loved one watches TV, choose humorous or happy sitcoms, game shows and musical shows. These types of shows can make the individual laugh and/or stimulate positive memories.

Maintain consistency and organization -- don't rearrange rooms. Instead, maintain consistency by keeping furniture in the same place. Keep the individual's bedroom and living areas well organized and keep pathways clear. Remember, sparse is better than cluttered. The less there is to trip over or break, the better. In addition, clutter may confuse or upset people with Alzheimer's disease. Move decorative knickknacks out of harms way, secure them or eliminate them.

Encourage recreational activities -- encourage activities that are success-oriented and that make the individual feel productive. Many individuals with Alzheimer's enjoy outdoor activities. Encourage walking if your home has a safe, enclosed yard. Gardening is also a good activity. But, make sure that the yard is free of toxic plants and that your loved one uses safe gardening tools (nothing sharp). When the individual in unsupervised, avoid activities that involve sharp or hot objects, such as knitting or cooking.

Lock up hazardous materials -- keep all medicines, cleaning products and sharp utensils out of reach. Consider wiring the stove, thermostat and hot water heater with hidden switches or controls. Lower the temperature on your water heater to avoid scalding, as accidental scaldings are common among people with Alzheimer's disease.

Don't forget, everyone needs a little TLC -- with all the responsibilities and problems involved in caring for people with Alzheimer's disease, it's easy to forget how important a loving touch can be. A pat on the back, back rubs, foot massages, hugging or holding hands are calming, and they communicate love and safety in a way everyone can understand. Several studies show that massage exerts a calming influence and minimizes behavior problems in Alzheimer's patients.

No one is able to predict the rate at which deterioration associated with Alzheimer's disease will occur. The disease may progress to a certain point and they stay at that level for years. In fact, most people with Alzheimer's remain in the community throughout their life.

If your relative is diagnosed with the disease, you must face the fact that, as the disease progresses, he or she may not be able to live alone. Home care may become not just a heroic task, but an impossible one.

For the vast majority of Alzheimer's caregivers, there comes a time when they can no longer care for the affected individual. They simply do not have the skill, energy and support to provide round-the-clock supervision and daily activities tailored to the person's increasing needs and remaining abilities.

That's the time to take the final step in Alzheimer's care -- moving your loved one into a specialized nursing home.

To receive a free copy of "At the Heart of Alzheimer's: A Complete Guide to Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's disease," or "How to Select an Alzheimer's Care center," please call Heartland of Riverview at 740-894-3287.

Heartland of Riverview is located behind SAMS Club and Wal-Mart in South Point, Ohio, 7743 CR 1, and is part of the HCR ManorCare family. HCR ManorCare is a leading provider of short-term post-acute services and long-term care.

The company's nearly 60,000 employees provide high-quality care for patients and residents through a network of more than 500 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies. The company operates primarily under the respected Heartland, ManorCare Health Services and Arden Courts names.

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