There is not a worse feeling in the world than to go to find a loved one
and they’re not where they should be.
Your stomach drops. You panic, search, call out, look some more…and then, if you can’t find them, you call the police. Your mind races–where are they?
Are they hurt? Has someone hurt them? I
f they’re an elder, you think of their medical conditions and needs, you think they might fall or walk out in traffic. If they suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia or other types of neurological. and memory problems, you know that finding them is going to be even harder.
ID and Medical bracelets are an excellent idea for elders. It helps with their safe return and gives caregivers and family members a little peace of mind. Even those who do not have dementia may get separated in a crowd.
You need something they can’t take off because if your mom or dad is like my mom was, she took off everything–including her underwear–oh, but she’d leave on her hat! My mom’s fixation was that she was going to call a taxi to take her home. I’m not sure, being from the South, if she ever had even ridden in a taxi! Isn’t it funny what sticks in the brain? She couldn’t remember me, her daughter, but could remember the concept of a taxi.
Sewing ID info in their clothes is helpful, but ideally, you want something they can’t remove.
This can help with basic medical information and their name. If they have Alzheimer’s, you may also state that so that people know to take special care. Even if they just get lost in a store, or happen to wander out before you finish your purchase, it can help.
The sad fact is that hundreds of elders get lost each year–and many are found too late.’
They’re vulnerable to the weather, traffic, and those who would take advantage of them.
I read this beautiful but heartbreaking story titled, “Sorry Blood” about a man who was abducted (he was really tricked) in a WalMart parking lot and this younger man told him he was his nephew and took him home. For the next few days, the elder gentleman was demeaned and forced to dig post holes and other hard labor–while the guy sat in his chair drinking beer after beer and then throwing the cans at the elder. The man was confused, and could only say that he must come from “sorry blood.” The guy’s girlfriend came home and demanded he return the elder. The guy just dropped him off on the side of the road.
The elder’s family had been frantically searching for him for three days, so the police were alerted and picked up the wandering elder. He hadn’t had his medicine, hadn’t eaten properly, was dehydrated. This story might sound extreme, but it all happened because he wandered out of a store ahead of his grandson and got confused.
Would the ID bracelet have stopped this? No, but if he had wandered far, it could have helped find him sooner.
Some states, such as Florida now have a “SILVER ALERT” system.
That means that just like the “Amber Alert” system that helps find children and places the information on highway signs as well as alerting all police authorities, the silver alert targets missing seniors and can help aid in their safe return. It’s a great idea to have thousands of eyes looking for an individual.
Many communities even offer them for free–so be sure to ask.
I hope you’ll consider an ID/medical bracelet for your loved one.
Here’s some great tips from the Family Caregiving Alliance to prevent wandering:
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Make time for regular exercise to minimize restlessness.
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Consider installing new locks that require a key. Position locks high or low on the door; many people with dementia will not think to look beyond eye level. Keep in mind fire and safety concerns for all family members; the lock(s) must be accessible to others and not take more than a few seconds to open.
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Try a barrier like a curtain or colored streamer to mask the door. A “stop” sign or “do not enter” sign also may help.
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Place a black mat or paint a black space on your front porch; this may appear to be an impassable hole to the person with dementia.
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Add “child-safe” plastic covers to doorknobs.
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Consider installing a home security system or monitoring system designed to keep watch over someone with dementia. Also available are new digital devices that can be worn like a watch or clipped on a belt that use global positioning systems (GPS) or other technology to track a person’s whereabouts or locate him if he wanders off..
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Put away essential items such as the confused person’s coat, purse or glasses. Some individuals will not go out without certain articles.
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Have your relative wear an ID bracelet and sew ID labels in their clothes. Always have a current photo available should you need to report your loved one missing. Consider leaving a copy on file at the police department or registering the person with the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program (see Resources).
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Tell neighbors about your relative’s wandering behavior and make sure they have your phone number.
Helpful sites and articles:
www.emsresponder.com/web/online/
www.americanmedical-id.com/extras/nfca.php
www.ezinearticles.com/?Medical-Alert-Bracelets-
www.americanmedical-id.com/for-Seniors&id=69001
www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/medical-device.shtml
