Abstract: Objective: To investigate the current situation of home environment security of elderly dementia patients. Methods: Totally 303 caregivers of elderly people with dementia in Beijing, Hangzhou and Tianjin were selected and investigated using a self-designed questionnaire. Results: In terms of anti-falling precautions, the incidence of "no grab bars/ shower chair/ bath seat in the tub or shower", "the height of the bed being not adjustable or no mattress on the floor", "no bed rails", "no upholders when getting out of bed, such as bed table or chair" and "no night-lights/ sensor lights/ bedside lights/ flashlights for the elderly at night" in the houses of the elderly people who had falls was lower than that of those who didn't have falls (P<0.05). As to anti-losing measures, the incidence of unused covers over exit and door knobs in the houses of the elderly people who ever got lost was lower than that of those who had not experienced such adverse events (P<0.05). The top three significant problems in accident prevention included articles easily broken by the elderly (72.3%), dangerous things within the reach of them in the toilet (64.7%) and natural gas or smoke alarms not installed (52.5%). And as the duration of illness increased, their caregivers paid more attention to the environmental setting in the prevention of accidents (P<0.05). Conclusion: There are certain problems concerning the safety of the home environment of elderly people with dementia. Caregivers are supposed to adjust the house environment according to the severity and duration of the disease to the decline of the elderly's ability and ensure their safety.

Key words: dementia; home environment; safety; investigation