According to some researchers, Alzheimer’s may have different precipitating causes and “types.”[1] Candidate causes are inflammation (for so-called Type 1 Alzheimer’s), nutrient deficiency (Type 2), and cortical toxicity (Type 3). Inflammatory dementia is possibly precipitated by bodily infections as well as exposure to dietary triggers – like junk/processed food and overindulgence in alcohol or even sugar. Nutritional deficiencies could have to do inadequate intake of essential vitamins like the B Complex (perhaps especially B12, cobalamin) and D (especially D3, cholecalciferol). I have explored these first two factors in several previous articles. (See, e.g., HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.) But except for my posts about the probable importance of drinking unpolluted drinking water (see HERE and HERE), I haven’t really addressed the so-called “Type-3” variety at any great length.

The prevailing idea behind this third subtype of Alzheimer’s is this. It’s conceivable that we may experience brain deterioration and cognitive decline as reactions to contact with environmental (or other) toxins. So, I thought that it might perhaps be helpful to catalog various, possibly harmful or noxious perils that are commonly encountered in an at-home setting. These range from allergens and cleaning chemicals to gases, metals, and substances (like drain-clearing agents and pesticides) that may be stored around the house. Along the way, I will turn at least a passing glance toward other dangers – like fire and tripping hazards – that present particular risks for mentally (and physically) impaired individuals.

I will do all this over several pages and posts. This is merely an introduction. Let’s dive in.

For my database of dementia-related household hazards, click HERE.

Remove or Guard Against ‘Contaminants’ and Other Hazards

In other places (see my articles “10 Things to Do NOW to Reduce Your Alzheimer’s Risk LATER” and “Protect Yourself Against the Coming Dementia Crisis”), I have sketched some strategies that people can use to raise their odds of avoiding Alzheimer’s Disease. I have to stress two things.

Firstly, there are no guarantees. I am merely thinking of these recommendations as bets. And, believe me, I am placing bets along with you.

Secondly, I am neither a physician nor a nutritionist. So, I am just sifting the evidences – as I run across it – and trying to get a handle on it myself. As I do this, I figure, why not put it into the kind of form that I wish I had had available to me when I first discovered that my dad (Jim) had Alzheimer’s – around ten years ago. (Click HERE for Jim’s story.)

But besides these Alzheimer’s-avoidance tactics, another thing to think about is the possibility that there are environmental and other hazards within the home.

As mentioned in the introductory paragraphs, these hazards could come in the form of toxins or other substances that may precipitate dementia. Or they may come in forms that simply make the living space more dangerous for a person who is saddled with cognitive (or physical) impairments.

Solution: Easy to Say, Hard to Do

There is a Three-Step Solution. It is fairly easily stated; it is much harder to implement.

1. Acquaint Yourself With the Principal Kinds of Hazards.
2. Scan Your Care/Living Area Looking for Those Hazards.
3. Strategize Ways to Eliminate or at Least Minimize the Relevant Risks.

Plainly, I cannot really execute point number 2 for you. You’re going to have to handle most of the leg work, there.

However, I can certainly sketch the lay of the land (so to speak), perils-wise. Or, to put it slightly less metaphorically, I can try to provide a basic guide to the sorts of hazards that you might expect to encounter in and around your home.

Additionally, I can suggest some tips for how you might best deal with the hazards that you face.

The Usual Caveats

Every scenario is different. It is likely that each family’s situation is going to involve a unique blend of hazards. There are at least four reasons why this is arguably true.

Firstly, people have different backgrounds. My dad, Jim (read “Jim’s Story”), worked at a blue-collar job for 45 years. He got used to physical labor. So, his older memories – to say nothing of his “muscle memory” – all revolved around working with his hands, tools, and so on. In his case, this meant that my family had to put a lot of time and effort into securing the garage, power tools, shed, and so on. Your loved one’s background may have points of contact with my dad’s. but chances are that it’s relevantly different in many respects. Keep in mind that these differences may direct your loved one’s attention and concerns, and that this, in turn, should shape your Alzheimer’s-proofing efforts.

Secondly, your loved one’s current health – and health history – will also play a role. Physically, all things considered given his age, my dad was able bodied. The nature of his affliction, at least initially, was more or less purely cognitive. It was therefore necessary for me to pay close attention to securing entryways, exits, windows, and so on. This was so because even though my dad’s reasoning faculties had diminished, his ability to walk around (ambulate) was intact. This led to a serious risk that he would leave the designated care area (called “eloping”) and put himself in danger. For other people whose physical capabilities had decreased, this risk may not be as pronounced.

Thirdly, if I’d have to bet, I’d say that your loved one’s Alzheimer’s (or other dementia) will affect him or her slightly differently than the same (or similar) condition would affect someone else. To rephrase: dementias affects people in different ways, presumably depending on which areas of the brain are most impacted. Of course, Alzheimer’s is essentially a brain-degenerating or brain-“wasting” disease. Predictably, different parts of the brain with be impacted for different people. To be sure, there are clusters of common symptoms. But, when it comes to Alzheimer’s-proofing, the devil can be in the details. So, in all probability, this is going to result in different practical concerns for each person.

Fourthly, every home is different. You (or your loved one’s) environment is a constellation of items, rooms, and – yes – dangers that are unique. You may have appliances that my family does not have. My dad may have kept tools that many other households don’t possess. Again, there are vast areas of overlap. Standard households will have electrical outlets, ovens, refrigerators, stoves, televisions, and so on. But I just want to underscore the fact that although I can make general statements, I cannot provide fine-tuned recommendations.

Where Does This Leave Us?

So, this series of posts is something of a mixed bag. I’m going to be concerning myself with enumerating general hazards. I will attempt to be as thorough as is feasible for me. But I will almost certainly have missed many things.

Additionally, there is a sense in which I will be able to speak more authoritatively on those hazards that my family dealt with directly. But since I am trying to be as comprehensive as I can be, there will be hazards I identify about which I will have had little practical experience.

For almost all the various chemicals, contaminants, poisons, and toxins listed, a main strategy will revolve around identification and avoidance or removal. But, on the one hand, many of the items in this post may fall more under the heading of “prevention” rather than “treatment.” (Unlike an article such as “6 Drugs That Treat Alzheimer’s and 20+ Natural Alternatives.”)

On the other hand, having a contaminant- and hazard-free environment is certainly part of caring for a loved one with any condition – dementia included. But even if it is impractical to eliminate contaminants and hazards 100%, my hope is that by addressing even a few of the things mentioned herein that we can all be just a bit better off than we were before.

The Hazards

I’m dividing the contaminants and hazards into several general categories. Find the category that is of concern or interest to you, and then click on the provided link or links to read more information.

1.     Allergens

This category includes critters like dust mites and rodents. Click for more information. as well as allergies to animals (e.g., pets or “intruders” such as rodents).

• Insects (including cockroaches, dust mites, and spiders)
• Fur and hair (mainly from pets)
• Rodents (including mice, rats, and voles)

But allergens also include food allergies. Click HERE for a list of foods that people are commonly allergic to. For general food recommendations (for dealing with and possibly avoiding Alzheimer’s), see my article on the so-called dementia “MIND Diet,” HERE.

Another big subcategory is plant-based allergens. Here, I have in mind seasonal-allergy type problems, as opposed to food problems.

• Plants (including pollen-generators and skin irritants) – Click HERE for my plant database. (For a related list of poisonous plants, see HERE.)

A couple of big takeaways, here, might be these. Number one, know your loved one’s health history. If he or she has suffered from allergies in the past, you want to know this. Number two, know your allergy symptoms. This is important in the best of circumstances, when you’re dealing with individuals who can recognize their own discomfort and communicate it to you. But it’s even more important when you may be called on to recognize signs in someone else who cannot let you know how they feel. And relatedly, number three, keep a close watch on your loved one.

2.     Electrical-Shock Hazards

Electricity has many undeniable benefits. But it also has numerous attendant risks. And they’re bad enough for adults with normal cognitive function. For dementia sufferers, the risks go up exponentially.

These hazards have to do both with the possibility of electric shock as well as with the potential for household fire.

In the former category would be such things as:

• Covered cords or wires
• Damaged Wires
• Extension-cord problems (not the right size, too long, etc.)
• Inadequate safety precautions when changing lightbulbs
• Improper appliance use
• Proximity of electricity and water
• Substandard Wiring

Again, see my general-hazards page, HERE, for more in-depth information on electricity-related perils.

As usual, the chance of mishap goes up as your loved one’s cognition goes down. Outlet covers – the sort that expectant parents use for childproofing – can provide a first layer of protection. For other suggestions, and for specific product recommendations, see HERE.

For the latter category of risks, continue reading, below.

3.     Fire Hazards

A lot of fire safety revolves around giving some potentially dangerous task your proper, and undivided, attention. But this is precisely the sort of focus that a cognitively impaired individual cannot be expected to have. Barbecuing, in-door cooking, and so on may have been a part of grandpa’s or mom’s repertoire in the past. This background may prompt your Alzheimer’s-afflicted loved one to try to continue to engage in these activities.

Possible dangers might include any of the following.

• Appliances poorly maintained (or wrongly used)
• Batteries discarded or stored improperly
• Barbecue grills too close to combustible structures or not cleaned correctly
• Chemicals and combustibles improperly discarded or stored
• Clutter heaped around – especially over appliances or cords
• Dust built up and not cleaned off (especially on Heat-producing equipment…)
• Electric Blankets left unattended (can cause burns and fires)
• Explosive vapors improperly vented
• Extension cords that are covered or are too small for their electrical loads
• Fireplaces and fire pits left unattended
• Heat-producing equipment not cooled or used correctly
• Lightbulbs mismatched in terms of wattage
• Ovens and stoves not watched diligently
• Smoking – especially indoors or around oxygen equipment
• Trash allowed to over-accumulate or positioned too close to ignition sources
• Wiring that is defective or overloaded

For more detailed information, and for suggestions for minimizing risks, see HERE.

4.     Gases

Some of the items on this list may not be the most obvious. At least, they weren’t to me. But fumes, gases, and other harmful vapors can actually pose non-negligible risks for people in their homes. Cognitive impairment only makes these perils worse.

This category pertains to household dangers such as:

• Ammonia vapors
• Bleach fumes
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Chlorine gas
• Natural gas
• Radon

Many of these substances can cause irritation to the lungs, nose, throat, and other parts of the respiratory system. At least one is a known (or suspected) carcinogen. And all this is in addition to some of the chemicals having a proclivity to cause damage to the eyes and skin.

For more information, click HERE.

5.     Metals

From copper (usually) in wiring and zinc used for roof flashing, to steel support beams and iron fences most houses contain metal everywhere. I mean: not literally everywhere. But it’s used a lot.

And metals show up in beauty products and consumable goods as well. Aluminum is often found in deodorant. Mercury is in thermometers. There are tungsten filaments in light bulbs.

Some metals – like gold and silver – are more or less inert and harmless to people.[2] Other metals – like cadmium and thallium – are pretty well toxic however you slice them. But not all metals are equally present.

Some of the most prevalent metals are as follows:

Light Metals

Among so-called “light metals,” two of the commonest are probably aluminum and titanium.

Of these, according to presently available information, the former arguably poses greater health risks.

• Aluminum

Heavy Metals

When it comes to heavier metals, two stand out as potential troublemakers in the home.

• Lead
• Mercury

To find out more about hazards posed by metals, see my general article, HERE.

6.     Mold

Mold growth typically goes hand in hand with excessive moisture. As with other items (such as various animals and plants) on this list, individuals will have varying levels of sensitivity to mold.

Some people may not experience any ill effects by being in close proximity to mold. Others may have allergic reactions ranging from mild (e.g., minor irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat; mild breathing problems – like wheezing; etc.) to sever (major breathing difficulties; coughing; and so on). Asthmatics might be more susceptible to serious health effects.

Chronic exposure to so-called “Black Mold” (Stachybotrys chartarum) is reputed to result in some of the worst effects. The stuff is said to cause fatigue, headaches, rashes, and respiratory distress.

But Black Mold is far from the only culprit.

One of the most common indoor molds is Cladosporium. It can cause eye and skin problems, as well as coughing and sinus congestion.

Various species of Alternaria affect crops. Farmers and gardeners can be exposed to it.

For more on molds, and hold to deal with them, see HERE.

7.     Poisons

Some of the previous categories contain items that have poisonous effects. After all, harmful gases are “poisonous.” And, truth be told, people who die in fires are not always “burned to death,” but are rather poisoned through smoke inhalation or by exposure to toxic gases that are released as household objects go up in flames. Exposure to Black Mold is sometimes referred to as “poisoning.” Ditto for heavy-metal toxicity.

So, in a sense, this category isn’t fundamentally different from some of the other hazards previously chronicled. But what is in view, here, are mainly ingestible poisons of one sort of other. To put it another way, I’m concerned in this part with compounds, substances, and so on that – whether mistakenly or on purpose – might be consumed and thereby have negative consequences for one’s health.

I deal with two main classifications of poisons.

Botanical Hazards

This group contains those mushrooms and other plants that have general reputations for being poisonous. I actually cast my net fairly widely, here. So, I have enumerated plants that have all kinds of levels of toxicity.

Some plants have fairly low levels of toxicity to humans and are rarely ingested. These include:

• Dogwood, some species (e.g., Cornus sanguinea)
• the Common Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
• and the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Others are sometimes considered to have “acceptably low” toxicity such that they can (if prepared correctly) be used in herbal concoctions. Plants in this subcategory include such as:

• Bitter Almond (Prunus dulcis amara)
• Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
• Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
• Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata)
• Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)
• Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
• Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

There are some well-known and widely consumed plants that either have poisonous parts or can be toxic if incorrectly prepared. Some of these are:

• Ackee (Blighia sapida)
• Apples (Malus domestica) – Seeds
• Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) – Seeds
• Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) – Again, should be cooked
• Eggplant (Solanum melongena) – Aerial parts (i.e., flowers, leaves, etc.)
• Garden Rhubard (Rheum rhabarbarum)
• Huckleberries (Solanum scabrum)
• Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) – Toxic if uncooked
• Peach (Prunus persica)
• Potato (Solanum tuberosum) – Leaves, sprouts, stems, etc.
• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) – Leaves, stems

A few plants with toxic components are frequently used (or abused) as hallucinogenics/psychedelics. A few of the better-known varieties, here, include:

• Peyote Cactus (Lophophora williamsii)
• Diviner’s Sage (Salvia divinorum)
• and the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) –

As usual, people will vary in their sensitivity to many of the listed plants.

However, there are a few plants that are reported to be so highly poisonous that they would almost certainly be fatal to everyone who would ingest them. These include:

• Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita phalloides)
• Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
• Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)

Still others are potentially deadly but can be used as the basis for medical preparations (some of which are topical and all of which are only to be administered under careful and competent medical supervision). A few notables in this subcategory are:

• Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

For my more elaborate database of plant poisons, see HERE.

Chemical Hazards

Dangerous chemicals are found throughout the average home. In most cases, these are placed in areas not easily accessed by children and are handled only by adults who have the cognitive powers to handle them safely.

However, Alzheimer’s Disease (and other forms of dementia) are characterized by the degradation of intellectual capacities – such as memory, perception, and reasoning – that undermine a person’s ability to recognize – and avoid – household dangers.

In these cases, it falls to caretakers to be aware of the perils and to try to minimize the risks to their charges or loved ones.

Basements

• A/C Refrigerants (chiefly Freon) – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Carbon Monoxide – Danger from Inhalation.
• Radon – Danger from Inhalation.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms may contain numerous potentially poisonous chemicals.

• Cleansers (e.g., all-purpose cleaning chemicals, ammonia, etc.)
• Cosmetics (e.g., eyeliners, lipsticks, makeups, etc.) – Dangers from Absorption and Ingestion
• Disinfectants (e.g., bleach, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) – Dangers from Absorption, Burns, Ingestion, and Inhalation.
• Hygiene Products (e.g., deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste) – Dangers from Absorption and Ingestion.
• Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter)
• Nail-polish Remover (Acetone) – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation
• Perfumes – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Tooth-Whitening Products (Carbamide Peroxide, Hydrogen Peroxide) – Dangers from Burns and Ingestion.

Kitchens

• Alcohols
  • Cleaning (Isopropanol, Methanol) Dangers from Ingestion.
  • Drinking (Ethanol) – Dangers from Over-Ingestion
• Cleansers & degreasers (ammonia & glass cleaners, oven & stove cleaners, etc.)
• Disinfectants (e.g., bleach) – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Foods (especially perishable foods) – Dangers from Ingestion.

Garages

• Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) – Dangers from Ingestion.
• Brake Fluid (Diethylene glycol) – Dangers from Ingestion.
• Car Batteries (Sulfuric Acid) – Dangers from Burns and Ingestion.
• Degreasers (Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether) – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Fuels (Butanol, Diesel, Ethanol, Gasoline, Kerosene, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Methanol) – Dangers from Absorption, Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Hydrocarbons (Benzene, Naphthalene, Propane) – Dangers from Ingestion.
• Rodent Poisons (Bromethalin, Strychnine, Warfarin, Zinc Phosphide) – Dangers from Ingestion.
• Rust Removers (Hydrofluoric Acid) – Danger from Burns and Ingestion.
• Solvents (Acetone, Dichloromethane, Isobutynol, Mineral Spirits, Toluene, Turpentine) – Dangers from Absorption, Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Windshield-Washing Fluid (Methanol) – Dangers from Ingestion.

Outdoors

• Chlorine (Cl) – Danger from Burns, Ingestion, and Inhalation.
• Matches (Phosphorous) – Danger from Ingestion.

Throughout the Home

• Asbestos (Chrysotile) – Danger from Inhalation.
• Formaldehyde (CH2O) – Dangers from Ingestion and Inhalation.
• Lead (Pb) – Danger from Ingestion.

For more information on these, and other, home hazards, see HERE.

8.     Tripping Hazards

Elderly people in general, and Alzheimer’s patients in particular, are at risk for falls. One aspect of this is the danger of tumbling out of bed – whether this occurs while the person sleeps or, more likely, as he or she tries to transfer in and out of bed. But, another realm of concern has to do with objects that raise the probability of tripping.

Some obvious things to look for include:

• Furniture (chairs, tables, etc. that are impeding travel)
• Clutter (clothes, knick-knacks, mail and other papers that pile up along walking paths)
• Extension Cords (stretched across paths and thresholds)
• Flooring (coming up, cracked, uneven catching feet and throwing a person off balance)
• Lighting problems (too dim or too bright making it difficult to see the floor)
• Pets (running around in walkways and startling or otherwise tripping people)
• Rugs (not tacked down or sliding and affecting balance)
• Stairs and Steps (too shallow or deep, too slippery, etc.)
• Toilet height, tub height, etc. (not optimal, negatively impacting equilibrium)

For more information on the various trip hazards – and suggestions for minimizing and eliminating them – see HERE.

Notes:

[1] Dale Bredesen, “Inhalational Alzheimer’s Disease: An Unrecognized – and Treatable – Epidemic,” Aging, vol. 8, no. 2, Feb. 10, 2016, pp. 304-313, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789584/>. Indeed, “Alzheimer’s” might not actually be just one condition. It may be a cluster of brain-degenerating maladies that each have their own specific triggers.

[2] Some even argue that there are health benefits to “colloidal” concoctions of such metals.