Beginning
04-25-2005, 01:03 PM
Another Alzheimer's patient is in the news (Western PA), having wandered away from home two days' ago. This was the second time that he wandered away, and this time they haven't been able to find him. With the cold and snow flurries, I've been watching the TV news with dread. I imagine myself in the shoes of the family looking for their loved one.
My husband is still in early-moderate stage. I'm terrified that someday he will get lost too. Our AD Center told me that there may not be a clear progression or warnings to alert that he might wander or get lost. Sometimes the risk will be obvious, but not always -- they warned that he could be walking the dog one day and forget how to get home.
I ordered the bracelet for him that was recommended by the neurologist -- but we're in a quiet suburban area where he might wander for a long time before anyone even talked to him. I see that there are some small GPS systems that are being sold for Alzheimers' patients. Has anyone ever used one of these systems?
My husband is still in early-moderate stage. I'm terrified that someday he will get lost too. Our AD Center told me that there may not be a clear progression or warnings to alert that he might wander or get lost. Sometimes the risk will be obvious, but not always -- they warned that he could be walking the dog one day and forget how to get home.
I ordered the bracelet for him that was recommended by the neurologist -- but we're in a quiet suburban area where he might wander for a long time before anyone even talked to him. I see that there are some small GPS systems that are being sold for Alzheimers' patients. Has anyone ever used one of these systems?
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Martha H
04-25-2005, 01:36 PM
Sorry I can't help you, Beginning. My Mom has a medic alert pendant on. Here in the city, anyone could call if they found her wandering. Out in the country it must be much more scary. It may become necessary to lock him in the house, or have a person go with him everywhere he goes ..an Aide or you . and eventually he might need to be in an asisted living facility. So sorry this is happening to you. You have my sympathies.
love,
Martha
love,
Martha
angel_bear
04-25-2005, 07:02 PM
Nothing would be more frightening than to discover .. you've lost a family member .. lost in the operative sense of the word ...
My friends Dad escaped from his nursing home and it wasn't noticed until about 1.30am when a bed check was done. They called the Police, and then my friend, and everybody spent HOURS hunting for him. He was eventually found, and taken back to the nursing home. When asked "where were you going?" he replied "fishing of course, where else?"
It boggles the mind when you try and put yourself in their shoes ...
Fortunately, I don't get snow in my neck of the woods, our COLDEST winter day I've experienced is -2 Celcius which is still cold enough to do damage to a frail person. We have those wanderer's too here in Australia. My MIL is on 'the list' with the local Police Station with a photo of her as well as all contact numbers for family members. Perhaps you could also arrange something similar with your Police? All my MIL's regular shops too (Bakery, Supermarket, chemist) are warned and she is to be held until a family member is sighted or contacted. Extreme measures, but extreme circumstances too.
Goodluck
Hugs
Sally
My friends Dad escaped from his nursing home and it wasn't noticed until about 1.30am when a bed check was done. They called the Police, and then my friend, and everybody spent HOURS hunting for him. He was eventually found, and taken back to the nursing home. When asked "where were you going?" he replied "fishing of course, where else?"
It boggles the mind when you try and put yourself in their shoes ...
Fortunately, I don't get snow in my neck of the woods, our COLDEST winter day I've experienced is -2 Celcius which is still cold enough to do damage to a frail person. We have those wanderer's too here in Australia. My MIL is on 'the list' with the local Police Station with a photo of her as well as all contact numbers for family members. Perhaps you could also arrange something similar with your Police? All my MIL's regular shops too (Bakery, Supermarket, chemist) are warned and she is to be held until a family member is sighted or contacted. Extreme measures, but extreme circumstances too.
Goodluck
Hugs
Sally
LuvMyLilDoggie
04-25-2005, 07:46 PM
Are you talking about a micro chip? My dog has that but I thought it was illegal for humans in the US. I think it would be great for dementia patients.
Love, Barb
Love, Barb
SiestaDrew
04-25-2005, 08:52 PM
My hubby has a bit different kind of dementia then AD but if we are in a busy place and he thinks he sees someone that looks like me he will follow them. So it is very scary about getting lost. My hubby is in the advanced stages so long ago he quit walking the dog on his own--good news, I was blessed cuz he too recognized it, that he was not really sure how to get back. I have heard tho, that with AD, it is different, they really do not have that sense of right or wrong. In the early stages I had my hubby carry a cell phone on his belt, it was part of our morning ritual, that way if he took too long to walk the dog, I would call and he would answer and then I could take the car and find him.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is I would do GPS in a heartbeat--and did not know that was available and would be very very interested in it. Could you please tell me where you found that info.
Thanks and good luck to you, Linda
Anyway, what I wanted to say is I would do GPS in a heartbeat--and did not know that was available and would be very very interested in it. Could you please tell me where you found that info.
Thanks and good luck to you, Linda
Beginning
04-25-2005, 10:15 PM
Thank you for the suggestions. I've hesitated to give hubby's info to the police yet, since we're in a small enough town that his diagnosis would be more public than he wants -- and he's still very sensitive about it. I know that I'm going to have to do it down the road, though.
I really liked the cell phone idea for right now. He's having trouble figuring out how to use and answer our cell phones, but I think I can find a model that is easier for him to use. I wish a microchip was available! I found GPS companies by doing a search of GPS + Alzheimers, and lots of info came up. It does look expensive but when I think of the alternative it's worthwhile. A GPS wrist or ankle band to keep track of an AD patient is certainly a better use of the technology than keeping track of Martha Stewart... I also like the medic alert idea, and will look into that too.
The missing gentleman hasn't been found yet -- three days. I'm sure every family dealing with an Alzheimers' patient is watching our local news and praying.
I really liked the cell phone idea for right now. He's having trouble figuring out how to use and answer our cell phones, but I think I can find a model that is easier for him to use. I wish a microchip was available! I found GPS companies by doing a search of GPS + Alzheimers, and lots of info came up. It does look expensive but when I think of the alternative it's worthwhile. A GPS wrist or ankle band to keep track of an AD patient is certainly a better use of the technology than keeping track of Martha Stewart... I also like the medic alert idea, and will look into that too.
The missing gentleman hasn't been found yet -- three days. I'm sure every family dealing with an Alzheimers' patient is watching our local news and praying.
SiestaDrew
04-26-2005, 10:56 AM
I just wanted to add that I too bought a different cell phone for my husband, do "not" do the flip top---it adds an extra step, the more steps--the more confusion. I bought a regular cell phone and took a "purple" sharpie and colored in the talk button, and then told him when the phone rings--hit purple--worked like a charm. Hope this helps
Beginning
04-27-2005, 07:13 AM
Great idea for the cell phone -- we're doing it this weekend. He admitted that the phones we have are too complicated for him.
The missing gentleman was found a mile from home. He had walked to a golf course, and it's believed that he died of exposure after he went to sleep the first night he was missing. The news was very gentle and said he went peacefully.
The missing gentleman was found a mile from home. He had walked to a golf course, and it's believed that he died of exposure after he went to sleep the first night he was missing. The news was very gentle and said he went peacefully.