Reducing the risk of wandering

Every year we read heartbreaking stories about elderly individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia who wander outside with tragic results. There are likely many similar stories, with much happier endings that never make the news.

According to the Alzheimer's Association six in ten people with Alzheimer's will wander. If the individual becomes lost or disoriented he or she may not be able to provide enough information for rescuers to contact family. This is a frightening scenario for caregivers already stressed by the challenges of caring for a family member with memory loss.

However, if a family caring for a loved one at home is concerned about wandering, there are many steps that can be taken to minimize risk. The Alzheimer's Association provides excellent information about wandering on their website, www.alz.org .

If a person suffering from dementia has not wandered, it is still very important for families to be alert for behaviors that may indicate an increasing risk. The Alzheimer's Association website gives examples of several behaviors of which to be aware. These are as follows:

• Returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual
• Trying to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work
• Trying to "go home" even when at home
• Being restless, pacing or making repetitive movements
• Have difficulty locating familiar places like the bathroom, bedroom or dining room
• Checking the whereabouts of familiar people
• Acting as if doing a hobby or chore, but nothing gets done (e.g. moving around pots and dirt without planting anything)
• Feeling lost in a new or changed environment

If a person is at risk for wandering there are some simple ways that a caregiver may help safeguard their home. Rebecca Stearns, administrator of Albion Court of Lincoln, an assisted living memory care community, provided some suggestions. According to Ms. Stearns, a fifteen year veteran of senior care, families may employ some relatively easy strategies for safety:

• Use monitoring devices that signal when a door is opened or a pressure sensitive mat at the person's bedside
• Use black tape or paint to create a two foot threshold in front of the door
• Place door locks either high or low so that they are out of the line of sight
• Camouflage doors by covering them with a removable curtain or screen
• Secure "trigger" items such as keys, wallets, purse, coat etc. that people may always take when leaving the house
• Never leave a person with dementia alone in a car
• Try to create a calming, quiet environment to reduce excess stimulation

Ms. Stearns also emphasized that families should have a plan in place if their loved one wanders. "Make sure that your family member is wearing an identification bracelet or necklace at all times. You should also ask neighbors to call if they see your loved one outside alone. It's a good idea to have recent close up photos handy in case you need to start a search. It's helpful to keep a list of familiar places such as past places of work, former homes, church or favorite restaurants where the person might go."

For interested caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association offers Medic Alert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return which is a 24 hour nationwide response service for individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementia who wander or who have a medical emergency. More information on this Alzheimer's program may be found at www.alz.org/safereturn or by calling 1-888-572-8566.

For more information on Albion Court, please call 401-333-4600 or visit www.albionspecialcare.com