Post by norbert1 on Jul 5, 2006 9:17:03 GMT -5
There is a tracking device transmitter that an Alzheimers patient can wear. But this is only an option where the local sheriff has purchased a locator device.
Project Lifesaver International
www.projectlifesaver.org/site/
Map of covered regions
Click resources--->Map
Care Trak international
www.caretrak.com/index.php
List of counties with Project Lifesaver
www.caretrak.com/lifesaver/counties.php
Other things caregivers have done------
- Safe proof the home so that the person is less likely to injure himself if he gets up at night and is not supervised.
- Install an alarm on the door
- Put a child-proof cover on the door knob.
- Disguise the door - paint the same color as the walls, put furniture in front of - hang something over the doorknob, hang something over the entire door, cover the door with wallpaper that looks like a book case.
- Install multiple locks of different types on the door - the person with alzheimers may not be able to get all the locks to the open position.
- Install additional locks up high or down low. -
A dead bolt on the front door might work. Also, they say people with dementia tend to look straight ahead, so they don't notice locks that are place up high or down low. A simple, inexpensive lock that can be added to any door is a swing lock. Hardware stores sell these for about $2.00. And they cause very little damage to the door - it installs to the inside of the door jamb.
- Install a double cylinder deadbolt lock on the door. Keep the key securely nearby incase needed in the event of an emergency. (There is an element of risk to this one)
- Take the persons shoes at night - some will not leave the house if not wearing shoes.
From the web-
Wandering
The most potentially dangerous behavior among patients with dementia is the tendency to wander. It occurs in over half of patients with Alzheimer's disease and can lead to serious injury or death (2,8). There are a variety of reasons why patients wander: some patients are restless, some are seeking a way out, some reflexively try to open a door because it is there, and some just blindly follow others. Whatever the reason, several measures can be taken to decrease wandering. It is very important to provide daytime exercise and stimulation, including time outdoors. If patients feel that they are not missing something, they may be less inclined to go exploring. Sleep disturbances should be managed to prevent nighttime wandering. Door locks and security systems should be used when appropriate. Another measure that can be useful is placing dark tape (or a dark throw rug) across the floor of a doorway; many patients will not cross an imagined threshold. (The dark rug looks like a hole to someone with dementia)
Medications are generally ineffective in treating wandering. However, successful use of dopaminergic agents has been reported in a small subset of restless wanderers (13). Additionally, if the patient is taking an antipsychotic, akathisia may be a cause of wandering, which might improve with discontinuation of the drug. Anytime a patient has a tendency to wander, he or she should be enrolled in a wander alert program. The Safe Return project is a national program run by the Alzheimer's Association (see box at end of article). Many local law enforcement agencies also participate in similar programs.
----------------------
A book that covers wandering precautions in one chapter is
The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home
by Mark L. Warner
If your local library does not have it, they should be able to order it in on inter-library loan.
Safe return program--
If he wanders off again, the Safe Return Program can help return him home. Members receive a bracelet or necklace with their name, identification number and the program's toll-free telephone number. A one-time registration fee of $40 is well worth it, even if you never need to use it. Call the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900 for more information.
Checkout the alzheimers association’s wandering factsheet at
www.alz.org/Care/Caregivingchallenges/wandering.asp
and
www.alz.org/resources/factsheets/FSSRCaregivers.pdf
Project Lifesaver International
www.projectlifesaver.org/site/
Map of covered regions
Click resources--->Map
Care Trak international
www.caretrak.com/index.php
List of counties with Project Lifesaver
www.caretrak.com/lifesaver/counties.php
Other things caregivers have done------
- Safe proof the home so that the person is less likely to injure himself if he gets up at night and is not supervised.
- Install an alarm on the door
- Put a child-proof cover on the door knob.
- Disguise the door - paint the same color as the walls, put furniture in front of - hang something over the doorknob, hang something over the entire door, cover the door with wallpaper that looks like a book case.
- Install multiple locks of different types on the door - the person with alzheimers may not be able to get all the locks to the open position.
- Install additional locks up high or down low. -
A dead bolt on the front door might work. Also, they say people with dementia tend to look straight ahead, so they don't notice locks that are place up high or down low. A simple, inexpensive lock that can be added to any door is a swing lock. Hardware stores sell these for about $2.00. And they cause very little damage to the door - it installs to the inside of the door jamb.
- Install a double cylinder deadbolt lock on the door. Keep the key securely nearby incase needed in the event of an emergency. (There is an element of risk to this one)
- Take the persons shoes at night - some will not leave the house if not wearing shoes.
From the web-
Wandering
The most potentially dangerous behavior among patients with dementia is the tendency to wander. It occurs in over half of patients with Alzheimer's disease and can lead to serious injury or death (2,8). There are a variety of reasons why patients wander: some patients are restless, some are seeking a way out, some reflexively try to open a door because it is there, and some just blindly follow others. Whatever the reason, several measures can be taken to decrease wandering. It is very important to provide daytime exercise and stimulation, including time outdoors. If patients feel that they are not missing something, they may be less inclined to go exploring. Sleep disturbances should be managed to prevent nighttime wandering. Door locks and security systems should be used when appropriate. Another measure that can be useful is placing dark tape (or a dark throw rug) across the floor of a doorway; many patients will not cross an imagined threshold. (The dark rug looks like a hole to someone with dementia)
Medications are generally ineffective in treating wandering. However, successful use of dopaminergic agents has been reported in a small subset of restless wanderers (13). Additionally, if the patient is taking an antipsychotic, akathisia may be a cause of wandering, which might improve with discontinuation of the drug. Anytime a patient has a tendency to wander, he or she should be enrolled in a wander alert program. The Safe Return project is a national program run by the Alzheimer's Association (see box at end of article). Many local law enforcement agencies also participate in similar programs.
----------------------
A book that covers wandering precautions in one chapter is
The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home
by Mark L. Warner
If your local library does not have it, they should be able to order it in on inter-library loan.
Safe return program--
If he wanders off again, the Safe Return Program can help return him home. Members receive a bracelet or necklace with their name, identification number and the program's toll-free telephone number. A one-time registration fee of $40 is well worth it, even if you never need to use it. Call the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900 for more information.
Checkout the alzheimers association’s wandering factsheet at
www.alz.org/Care/Caregivingchallenges/wandering.asp
and
www.alz.org/resources/factsheets/FSSRCaregivers.pdf