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Alzheimer's & Dementia
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Expert Review – Flood Alarm



Rialco Floor Alarm Model 84010


MANUFACTURER
Rialco Inc.
COST
$20.00
VENDORS
Rialco Inc.
DISCLAIMER
The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.
DESCRIPTION
This product sounds an alarm when the sensor at the end of the wire strip comes in contact with water. To stop the alarm, the sensor must be removed from the water. The alarm comes with an 11-inch sensor strip; but you can order a longer strip if needed.

Tools Needed: Screwdriver and 9v battery
PROS
Loud alarm: The loud alarm, similar to a smoke alarm, makes it easier to hear from another room, depending on one's hearing acuity.

Easy-to-install: A screwdriver and a battery will be needed. As it has a flexible wire, you can install it inside the cabinet door. A battery comes with the flood alarm, but it may only last a few minutes (as our's did while product testing), so have a back-up in case you need it.

It is always on once the battery is installed.
CONS
This product does not turn the water off.

The unit has a flashing LED light, a feature often irritating to persons with dementia. (May be better to install inside cabinet.)
CAUTION
Persons with dementia may remove alarm.

You may not hear the alarm if you are in the garage or basement.

If the person is home alone and the alarm sounds, he/she could:
• panic if unable to remember how to turn the faucet or alarm off.
• sustain a fall, as floors are slippery when wet, especially when one is rushing.

Product Selection Criteria

Our goal is to teach you how to be a good consumer and to help you learn about specific products and unique product features that may enhance your safety and the safety and function of the person with dementia. The products shown in This Caring Home serve as examples only. Manufacturers continually change product specifications and the products represented may be different from those now on the market.

We realize this is not an all-inclusive list. Products featured in This Caring Home were chosen for one or more of the following reasons:
  • Affordability
  • Attractiveness
  • Availability
  • Color selection
  • Ease of use
  • Quality
  • Safety
We encourage you to discuss product selection with other caregivers and health care professionals.


How We Tested

"ThisCaringHome.org tested many products that are commonly recommended for best practices to identify the best use of these products and any potential problems in their use by caregivers and individuals with dementia. Each product included in an Expert Review was tested in a home environment, either an apartment or a single family home (or both), by at least two people. Rosemary Bakker, interior designer, gerontologist and dementia specialist, was one of the testers for every product. Whenever possible, we tested the product over time, sometimes days, weeks, or months, for:
  • Ease of use
  • Reliability
  • Potential safety issues
As a result of our testing, we're listing the pros and cons for using these products and including safety precautions for various products. These products were not tested by persons with dementia. We hope in the future to do case studies to learn more about what works and what doesn't work in a larger variety of caregiving situations and home environments."

Products listed on our website but not tested by ThisCaringHome.org are referred to as "Product Listings".


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