Abstract:

Describes the Home Safety/Injury Model that promotes safer home environments for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The model, derived from Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory, has 3 components: the safety platform, the person with dementia, and risky behaviors. The person with dementia is in the center, located on the safety platform composed of the physical environment and caregiver competence. The interaction between the underlying dementia and indicators of frailty can lead to the person with dementia performing risky behaviors that can overcome the safety platform's resources and lead to an accident or injury, resulting in negative consequences. Through education and research, the model guides proactive actions to prevent risky behaviours of people with dementia by promoting safer home environments and increased caregiver competence.