Protect the Alzheimer’s Patients who may wander away from home
My Mom didn’t wander, but I think she might have had she been given more freedom to escape our house or yard.
We already knew of two elderly folks in our neighborhood who wandered away
When Mom moved in with us, we moved locks
I don’t think the person with Alzheimer’s intends to run away. They start walking and don’t realize how far until their surroundings become unfamiliar. Soon enough, they are lost and their home is out of view. This can happen when they are in their very own neighborhood. So don’t underestimate their ability to get lost quickly.
The medic-alert bracelets and necklaces are great in this instance. Most are engraved with address or phone number and could prevent a serious accident or horrible experience for your loved one if they became lost. These nice bracelets and necklaces come in multiple colors and sizes. I saw several in a leather-look for the guys and attractive ones for the ladies.
The Medic-Alert necklace can be strictly to protect, or many add a touch of class with pretty silver chains, logos or even a chic heart or rose.
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Medic ID Necklace
Chic Alert MedicalMedical Alert ID SilverMedical Alert ID StainlessEmerg Alert Stainless SteelMedical Alert ID Stainless Heart
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First responders are trained to look for medical ID to determine if you have a medical condition or dangerous allergies and if you take any critical medications. And, by including emergency contact information on your ID, you can be sure that loved ones will be notified promptly.
Some of the newer bracelets include a Memory Card with USB
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Black Silicone Sport Medical Alert alized engraving.Quality Stainless SteelAdult Id Bracelet -Smartphone AccessEmerg Alert ID BraceletN Style ID Women’s Beaded Pandora Style Medical IdHealth ID Emergency Medical IDRose Color Stainless SteelHealth ID Emergency Medical IDWaterproof ELITE USB black silicone
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The medic alert bracelets are a wonderful tool for people with dementia or anyone who has a chronic medical condition. As you have stated, the reasons for wandering are myriad. Someone who has lived in the same house his whole life can go to the mailbox and returning to the house, not recognize it at all. Norman McNamara, an Englishman in his 50s with early onset AD, describes this happening to him in his book, “Me and My Alzheimer’s.”
Specifically for wandering, there is a wonderful non-profit organization called “Project Lifesaver International” (http://projectlifesaver.org) which offers GPS bracelets in many areas of the country to any adult or child at risk of wandering — people with dementia, autism, Down Syndrome, etc. In our community, this program is offered through a partnership with the local sheriff’s department and our local dementia daycare center. IT SAVES LIVES!!! Having had two family members with Alzheimer’s who were wanderers, I can say that this program is vital. There was a man here in town who wandered away in winter and fell down an embankment above the Black Warrior River. He was hanging onto a tree trunk on the steep embankment. Although he was not far from his home and could hear the search and rescue workers calling to him, he was too frightened to answer. The only reason they found him (and found him within minutes of his family reporting him missing) is because of his GPS bracelet. There are countless stories like this from our community and from around the country, but there are WAY too many people who do not use this type technology, sometimes with tragic results. Visit the Project Lifesaver website or call your local senior assistance agency or local law enforcement to find out if a GPS monitoring system is available in your area. If your loved one with dementia can walk, he is at risk of wandering. Don’t take chances.
Do people who have started to wander or (try to wander) eventually stop trying to wander? Is wandering behavior just a phase? Does anyone know?
Hello Janelle, I certainly understand. Wandering can be a very serious problem especially if they wander at night. Often it occurs for different reasons; they may be feeling lost if they’ve recently moved to a new residence with new surroundings. They may feel agitated about some other problem they perceive. I found with my own Mom, the more activities I made available, the less she wanted to wander.
If they are missing someone, you might try a photo album with many of her siblings whom she recognizes.
If they are simply wandering aimlessly, they may feel lost and are trying to find themselves. Often, wandering is some “feeling” they are trying to understand. And that is not easy for them due to the confusion. Sometimes agitated, angry wandering may simply be a result of the brain damage itself.
I would try extra activities if it’s just an aimless wandering, as though they don’t have enough to do.
Try affection and openly listening to their issues and upsets. It may not sound like truth to you, but what they say–is what they feel.
You have to remind yourself that they are very confused, and they may not understand why they wander or even believe you that they do wander.
If they are in new surroundings, I would think it will lessen as they grow accustom to their new place. But if they are very agitated or upset, you may want to speak to their physician. There are also medications that can help calm them.
–Take care
Sandy