If you are like millions of aging adults who are experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer's or chronic, age-related memory problems, then you may be concerned about your living situation. Can you continue to live in your own home when you cannot even remember to turn the lights out at night or turn the stove off? It is a scary situation to be in, but there are ways in which you can address your memory problems and still reside within your own home.

Put Timers on All Corded Devices

Vacation timers for electrical items can help keep you safe. If you put them on all of the lights, the stove and anything else you may forget to turn off, the timers will not only limit the time these items are switched on but also limit how long they are on. For example, if you place a timer on the stove and set it so that you can only use the stove between five and six in the evening, then the stove is rarely (if ever) turned on for more than a few minutes after you have finished cooking your dinner. Most TVs are already equipped with built-in timers, and you can set those while you watch TV.

Set Reminder Alarms and Place the Alarm Clocks Near a Handwritten Schedule

If you set several alarm clocks for very important times of the day (e.g., getting up, taking medication, showering, meals, etc.), then you can help yourself remember to do these things more easily. If you also have handwritten schedules next to each alarm clock, then you also know what you are supposed to be doing at the time a particular alarm goes off.

See If Medicare Covers Assisted Living Service or In-Home Care Supervision

Even if Medicare does not cover home visits with nurse's aides or visiting nurses, you may want to consider hiring one anyway, especially while you still have some of your faculties intact. You will be able to choose someone that can help you remember to do things and keep track of important events like family weddings. The nurse's aide or nurse can keep a running log on your ability to remember and cope with your memory loss, while also making suggestions to your spouse or adult children about how to help you when your in-home healthcare help is not there. As your Alzheimer's or memory loss progresses, the aide or nurse can take on more of the duties you cannot do, and care for you when family cannot.

Contact a company like In Your Home Care for more information.