That is a hard one. Can you get a hip height portable fence, such as a baby gate type fence/infant play pen fence that can be put around it? Or an indoor dog fence that is about hip height that you can put a sign on? Maybe a sign that says: Do not move this fence! or "Under construction, Please keep out."

Perhaps you could just cover it with several layers of blankets, to soften it up! Does he just walk near it or sit down on the hearth? Not knowing how your home is configured or whether you regularly use it or not … it’s hard to say. Could you rearrange the furniture and position a couch right in front of it so he couldn’t get to it? It may not “look good” but sometimes our fashion and decorating choices have to be temporarily changed to accommodate our person. I hope you find a solution. The falls can be so devastating for the patient AND the caregiver!