Today’s Boomers

Wandering is one of the most frightening symptoms of advancing dementia, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates it will happen to nearly 60 percent of AD patients.

Technology has vowed to provide us with advanced methods that will help you find a lost Alzheimer’s patients by employing a sophisticated GPS device like the portable one I use in my car or on for those weekend bike trips.

The cost was approximately $224.00 and I have found no independent research to show which manufacturer actually works best so I suggest you take the time to investigate the one that best suits your needs. The Center for Aging Services Technologies, a coalition of government, universities and high-tech companies also supports these devices. However, the accuracy of any GPS depends solely on satellites to power the navigation system.

However, there are some “James Bond 007″ improvements under way to establish a much stronger signal to prevent any interruption from buildings and to search remote locations.

As you already know, Assisting Living Facilities utilize radio frequency “tags” to locate AD patients. They sound off a signal from a sensor attached to a door whenever the barrier is broken. But, patients have escaped by simply walking between individuals to cancel out the radio frequency.

New systems being investigated may require a cell phone, or hard- to-remove jewelry; another company plans to implant affordable sneakers with a GPS chip to track missing children. Therefore, the one that is right for your family depends on your financial circumstances.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., meanwhile encourages you to enroll your loved one in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return program because it’s $20 a year, provides a well managed hot line which faxes photos and descriptions to the police and there’s a sturdy stainless steel tag that gives your phone number.

Personally, I wouldn’t be without my GPS for navigation purposes so eventually the prices should go down.

MLECA recommends you employ a rescue backup plan today.

For more information, call Main Line Elder Care Associates at 610-2667 or visit us online at www.mainlineeldercare.com.

Let MLECA help you find the right solution to your problem, email us at info@mainlineeldercare.com

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President and CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., writes articles regarding elder issues which appear in her blog and newsletters. She has appeared as an expert on TV and radio to discuss the problems facing employee caregivers, healthcare management needs, care plans and many other subjects involving the elderly or disabled. She is a graduate of John Marshall Law School, a certified Arbitrator and Mediator. She co-founded MLECA with Brenda M. Hanna, BS, RNFA and dedicated to serving clients in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties.

MLECA is the recipient of the CitiCorp’s Boost Award for 2007.

Member, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. 

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No one can predict when it will happen, but you should know what to do when it does.

How common is it for a person with Alzheimer’s to wander and become lost?

Unfortunately, many repeatedly wander away. Alzheimer’s or a related dementia person can also  easily become lost .

Of course, you realize how this can be dangerous and even life threatening so MLECA encourages our clients to participate inn the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program and we are available to assist you with this process.

Safe Return helps reunite loved ones who have wandered.

They provide 24/7 assistance, no matter when or where you report them missing. 

GO TO WWW.ALZ.ORG. Fill out their form in its entirety to complete the registration.

Contact us at  www.info@mainlineeldercare.com for more information. We are available to help you with the enrollee registration form.

Please be pro-active and do this today because stress from  losing a loved one will weigh very heavily on your entire family. Also, we are inviting you to give us feedback as to whether this program was beneficial to you.

PLEASE BE SAFE AND PROTECT THOSE WITH ALZHEIMER’S OR DEMENTIA RELATED ILLNESSES.

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President and CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. www.mainlineeldercare.com

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have a higher risk of becoming confused, wander away from home and to get lost. Therefore, individuals with AD or memory loss may become lost and thereby are at risk for a serious injury.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. recommends that these individuals be registered in the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program. 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz-delawarevalley.org.

SAFE RETURN PROGRAM - Provides identification products such as bracelets or necklace ID, clothing labels, wallet cards, etc. They have a 24 hour toll free crisis line and a national photo database to assist the family to facilitate a successful reunion.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. endorses this program to help your family member with demntia who wanders because:

1. 59% of people with Alzheimer’s disease wander and become lost.
2. 46% may die if not found within 24 hours.
3. People with AD are often found with a 1/2 mile radius of where they were last seen.
4. People with AD are usually found a short distance from the road or an open field.
5. People with AD are often found in creek or drainage areas or caught in briers or bushes.
6. People with AD do not usually cry out for help.
7. People with AD do not usually respond to shouts from searchers.
8. People with AD leave few physical clues behold.

Please contact Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. for information regarding this program, care plans. educational training or for an appropriate placement facility for AD individuals at 610-688-2667 or www.info@mainlineeldercare.com.

Also, contact the Safe Return Program at the Alzheimer’s Association to register at 1-800-272-3900.