I would like some advice on how you keep an ALZ patient from wandering. This has not happened yet, but our LO is getting up at 2 or 3 am and trying to start her day. Her elderly caretaker says he has it under control because he listens for her to get up and will get up with her if she is doing more than a nighttime bathroom run. I asked what he planned to do if she tried to take a walk and he said "She won't." I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I'd like a Plan B to "I'll hear her." We asked him to consider an overnight aide so he could get a good night's sleep but....he's not ready for that.
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"another day, another fire hose of abuse from this for the most part hellbent so called support group. most of you should be ashamed; almost all of you come across as money grubbing control freaks."
THAT seems to be a rather sanctimonious comment coming from someone who apparently considers themself to be a good Christian... If you think this is a "so called support group", why do you bother coming here? If you think we are so bad and such "money grubbing control freaks", what is YOUR purpose for coming here? Everyone has an opinion, everyone shares suggestions or caring that might help, even if it is only to commiserate. Lambasting people because YOU think you have been dissed is YOUR opinion, but calling other people names and criticizing them serves no purpose AND would appear to me to be rather unchristian-like. BTW, how is someone laughing at a comment a "fire hose of abuse"? You seem to be rather sensitive...or you do not know the REAL definition of abuse.
Marcia7321 asked a legitimate question and a chuckle on an answer that is really a non-answer was not uncalled for. She clearly knows the caretaker well and would certainly know better than you if that person has the "situation under control." It was pretty much implied that it was NOT under control.
Although the wandering "has not happened yet", anyone who knows dementia and in particular has raised children know you MUST stay one step ahead of both. Wandering IS a big concern and although it does not always happen, when it does the consequences can be devastating. YOU even state "the situation {is} under control...for now", the key phrase there being "for now". Do you wait for the horse to get out of the barn before securing it? You also say "it's impossible to predict in advance, almost anything with dementia patients. they're all somewhat unique and all fairly unpredictable is my understanding and experience." and THAT is the point of Marcia7321's concern - it COULD happen and there is NO crystal ball to say IF or WHEN. It is better to be prepared to protect (even if it is never needed) rather than to prepare the funeral. It is unclear what you mean by "taking care of a forgetful person with some peculiar habits is one thing, an end stage incontinent bed bound dementia patient who can't put a sentence together is a totally different answer." as the person of concern here is clearly NOT bed bound...
Marcia7321 graciously apologized for any perceived insult and went on to say: "There isn't one answer that fits everyone's situation. This forum is a useful place to see things from other viewpoints." THIS is what the forum is all about.
While I think the alarms and door knob child covers might work, a big concern several have raised is if the caretaker is deep asleep and does not hear the alarm or the LO getting up and about, then the alarm may not be useful. I was going to suggest using a keyed deadbolt on any doors leading outside (keep the keys in a place handy for quick exit, such as in the event of a fire or CO2, but out of sight/reach of the LO.) Others had concerns about getting out in the event of fire with the knob covers, however LO does not live alone! I can sleep through my phone alarm, but never could sleep through those fire alarms!! Peel me off the ceiling when those go off (at least the electronic ones, not so sure about the battery operated ones as my previous home had electronic ones and they are LOUD!)
If there are stairs with no barrier, that should be taken care of as well. A door with a lock would suffice, but many stairwells have no door, so a gate, high enough to prevent falling or climbing over, should be installed.
Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all and no way to know in advance what will happen. The best we can do is anticipate based on the known common behaviors of those with dementia and try to circumvent them BEFORE they happen. Again, in this case the LO might never wander, but we don't know that for sure. It would be better to be proactive.
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I like the idea of the floor mat alarm and it might be the easy for the caretaker to accept as it will need little or no adjustments.
Black mats or slip-resistant rugs work as previously mentioned-- the person with dementia/Alzheimer's think that the black spot on the floor is a hole in the floor. If you want your loved one to walk over the black mat, you will need to remove it from in front of the door or put another non-black rug over the black mat.
You might try a paper "Stop Sign" or a paper black hole to see how your loved one responds prior to purchasing the "Stop Sign" . This is tough situation because you have to convince the caretaker to use the product after you purchase it. Good Luck!
Some people don't like this idea but it's worked for us. We have installed a security door on the front door and it has a double sided deadbolt. We keep it locked at all times. The key is hidden nearby for easy access. She can go to the door, look out and see what's happening but the door will not open.
I've also heard that placing a black rug in front of a door will keep them back because their depth perception is bad and it looks like a giant hole. This might scare them so you would have to see how they react and go from there. Plus putting posters over doors.
He is having a hard time accepting this. He thinks she just needs a stronger medication. He thinks she's making choices to do or not do things. He said "She always listens to what I order and then she wants the same thing!" or "She doesn't want to put sheets on her bed anymore." We are very lucky they can still stay in their home for now. Together.
We bought her a very pretty pendant from the Safe Return program but I have not seen her wear it. The wander guard ankle bracelet is offered at a very reasonable price by the local sheriff department but there is no way he will agree to that at this point. He will need to have a scare before he agrees to that. This is all so sad. Not getting a good night's sleep has to be hard on the caretaker's health. So many caretakers are doing this job alone overnight. My heart goes out to them.
Thank you all for your many responses.
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20046222
My mother often got up to start her day at totally unreasonable hours. I would intercept her in the hallway and say, "Mom, it is 3:30 in the morning. It is too early for breakfast." She'd answer, "Oh well then, I'm not getting up now!" as if someone expected her to. I got a clock that projected the time on the ceiling. It took a few times of taking her back to her bedroom and pointing out the time and also the "AM" designation, but she stopped getting out of bed at inappropriate times so I assume she started figuring out the time for herself.
If your LO is trying to start her day because she is confused about the time, give a projecting clock a try! This may or may not have any impact on a tendency to wander, but it may allow her caretaker to have a better night's sleep, which would be a good thing in itself.
You can get one of the bell systems that are on business doors when someone walks through the door the bell will sound. It is an infrared beam that when broken sounds the bell. Easy to install and looks pretty much like the device that is on a garage door that prevents the door from closing if the beam of light is broken.
My Husband was fitted with a device that looked much like a watch and if he wandered the police would be able to scan for the signal. I was able to be in a program through the County Mental Health Department. The program was called Caretrak.
There are devices that can be attached to a dogs collar and you can set a range and if the perimeter is broken an alert will be sent to your phone but even without an alert you can "see" where the device is. So you could attach this to a shoe, to a belt or on a chain that also contains an ID tag. (good idea to have a "dog tag" type info on the person at all times. Men would probably be more willing to wear a dog tag but an ID bracelet would work.)
Here are two websites: WebMD talks about 10 steps to take to minimize wandering and the "alzstore" website has several different types of wandering deterrents--alarms, stop signs, etc.
webmd.com/brain/10-ways-to-prevent-wandering#1
alzstore.com/alzheimers-dementia-wandering-s/1828.htm
Maybe something like these deterrents might work for your loved one. Good Luck.
Everything is under control with ALZ patients until one gets out of the house and something terrible happens.
Something like these items. They use them for my FIL because he is a fall risk.
smartcaregiver.com/motion-sensor-alarm-systems/