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Husband has Alzheimer’s and I am afraid of hi wondering away. He has never in his life liked jewelry and I his wallet is in safe keeping I have his license etc. Any suggestions?
He could wear an Apple smartwatch. It has a Find My feature that enables you to track his path at all times from your own smartwatch or Apple iPhone, computer or tablet. The path of the wearer is shown on a map on the screen. The Apple smartwatches that we wear can even be worn in the shower or swimming, which gives peace of mind in case someone should fall into a pond. Which happens to too many lost elders.
When I push Find My on my devices, I can request the other device that I’m tracking to make a noise. If the person wearing it is in the house or even if the device is in the house and not being worn, I know that right away.
You can dial home on a smartwatch. You can also put identification and health info on it, such as records from the doctor’s office. Rescuers can call directly to 911, doctor or home from it.
Some bands are silicone and stretchy so that they’re easily slipped on and off. They are ordered to exactly fit a wrist size.
One thing I did early on after mom tried to call police on a caregiver was to call the police dispatch so they would make a record that someone at that address has Alzheimer's. Police may have other suggestions for you. Some communities across the country have special programs that help with making them safer.
This seems kind of ridiculous but was a lifesaver for my SIL with her youngest who was also a 'wanderer'.
They wrote on her back in permanent ink her name, address, phone, etc. She could slip out of any kind of tracking device and this, while it seemed so silly, really made her family feel safer.
Is he officially diagnosed by a doctor? ALZ is one form of dementia and has a different trajectory than the others. If he has not been seen by a doctor for his symptoms, please do so, since an accurate diagnosis is very important. Other medical and health issues can mimic dementia symptoms and these need to be discounted first.
Also, Teepa Snow videos on YouTube are very helpful and give lots of good advice on how to interact with our LOs with dementia.
There are so many tracking devices available now, and I know some are even using luggage tag trackers. I think the problem is as you say, someone unused to wearing anything, even attached to a belt, who will remove it.
There really is no safety once you move into this realm, and the reason many are in memory care is often just this situation, the wandering. Spouses often cannot sleep at night for worrying about this exact situation. Some facilities are now using a sort of intermediate between ALF and MC that is a ALF with locked cottages. I suspect this will become more common. Safety is a a maximum while costs kept more reasonable.
You can easily google the many tracking devices for dementia that are available, but the problem is not solved if device can be removed. I did have a situation with an elder who left ALF to visit the local drug store across the street seaching out his "cocktails". He had a device available through the local police authorities that was much like a zip tie that wasn't removable. Problem with THAT is even with his device, he was crossing streets unsafely, and was in danger. Memory care proved the only answer.
I hope others have better suggestions. Good luck. Will be following the thread to see recommendations. I would think this is a common problem.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
When I push Find My on my devices, I can request the other device that I’m tracking to make a noise. If the person wearing it is in the house or even if the device is in the house and not being worn, I know that right away.
You can dial home on a smartwatch. You can also put identification and health info on it, such as records from the doctor’s office. Rescuers can call directly to 911, doctor or home from it.
Some bands are silicone and stretchy so that they’re easily slipped on and off. They are ordered to exactly fit a wrist size.
They wrote on her back in permanent ink her name, address, phone, etc. She could slip out of any kind of tracking device and this, while it seemed so silly, really made her family feel safer.
There are people on Amazon who make custom tags. You could put "John - Alz" with your phone # on iron-on tags.
Is he officially diagnosed by a doctor? ALZ is one form of dementia and has a different trajectory than the others. If he has not been seen by a doctor for his symptoms, please do so, since an accurate diagnosis is very important. Other medical and health issues can mimic dementia symptoms and these need to be discounted first.
Also, Teepa Snow videos on YouTube are very helpful and give lots of good advice on how to interact with our LOs with dementia.
There really is no safety once you move into this realm, and the reason many are in memory care is often just this situation, the wandering. Spouses often cannot sleep at night for worrying about this exact situation. Some facilities are now using a sort of intermediate between ALF and MC that is a ALF with locked cottages. I suspect this will become more common. Safety is a a maximum while costs kept more reasonable.
You can easily google the many tracking devices for dementia that are available, but the problem is not solved if device can be removed.
I did have a situation with an elder who left ALF to visit the local drug store across the street seaching out his "cocktails". He had a device available through the local police authorities that was much like a zip tie that wasn't removable. Problem with THAT is even with his device, he was crossing streets unsafely, and was in danger. Memory care proved the only answer.
I hope others have better suggestions.
Good luck. Will be following the thread to see recommendations. I would think this is a common problem.