Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often lose their capability to identify familiar places and persons. Wandering, becoming misplaced, or being perplexed about one’s whereabouts is frequent in people with dementia, and it can arise at any phase of the condition. In fact, 60% of dementia patients will roam at least once, and many may stray multiple times. Wandering, while common, can be fatal and the burden of this possibility takes a toll on family carers. If that is you, you may want to be prepared for Alzheimer’s wandering.
Use Tracking Systems
Based on 12-month research conducted by the University of Alberta, Edmonton, GPS trackers, and other similar technologies are among the best practices to alleviate caregiver worry over dementia wandering. Watches, in-shoe tracking, and compact, pocket-friendly gadgets that adhere to garments are some of the frequently used options for GPS monitoring devices for dementia individuals. Use that for elevated peace of mind.
Join a Memory Care Community
It may become dangerous for your dementia-affected parent to live alone as their cognitive impairment progresses. This is particularly so if they’re at risk of straying. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can be housed and cared for 24/7 in living communities with memory care programs. Such communities often include exciting activities and useful interventions to help their residents avoid wandering, as well as provide a safe setting for those who tend to roam.
Have All Vital Documents on Hand
Keep a file of crucial documents and distribute them to family caregivers and home care staff. This might contain the latest, close-up shot of your loved one, as well as current medical information to provide to authorities in the event of an emergency.
You should also include a list of persons to contact for assistance, such as close friends and relatives, as well as a list of destinations your dementia-affected family member might roam to. Think addresses of old homes, offices, favorite diners, or religious sites. A wandering information sheet that tracks the characteristics and actions of your parents or grandparents could also be handy.
Pool in All Possible Resources to Help
Request friends, relatives, and acquaintances to call if they spot the individual unaccompanied ahead of time. Enrolling your loved one in local dementia wandering response program is also a good idea.
You might also wish to notify the town sheriff’s department that your loved one suffers from dementia and is prone to wandering. Officers will retain your submitted information so that they can be quickly identified if anybody reports an elderly who appears lost, disoriented, or in distress.
Remember to call 911 as soon as possible because dementia wanderers’ chances of survival drop after 24 hours. Inform them that your family member has dementia and give whatever documentation you have prepared in advance.
Caregivers like yourself can better curb anxiety in the case of an emergency by being prepared for Alzheimer’s wandering. Using tracking systems to your advantage or enrolling your loved one in an elderly living community that provides memory care service can help a great deal. Bookmark this article for easy reference in the future!
