Developing a strategic plan for care after an Alzheimer’s and Dementia diagnosis involves a lengthy examination of your life in general and one where an authentic self-awareness and reality stands at the forefront. Emotional and biased thinking must not supplant balanced thought or the reality of your situation presently and in the days, months, and years to come. It is important that you understand the actuality of your condition and the dramatic changes you must make in your circumstances with respect to the eventual symptoms.

One symptom of both these diseases is wandering.

The New York Times reports that six out of ten people suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia wander. Dictionary.com defines wander “as to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam, rove, or stray or to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander;” Wikipedia describes wandering in dementia patients as “a common behavior that can cause great risk for the person, and is often the major priority (and concern) for caregivers;” and the Alzheimer’s Association has an entire section dedicated to wandering.

The Alzheimer’s Association has a prevention and planning page that suggests creating a daily routine filled with activities; discovering the times that you tend to wander so either you or your caregivers can monitor; providing the essentials; and utilizing unseen locks and securing all windows and doors. Most of these suggestions you can implement and are under your control in your current circumstance along with a caregiver.

Here are a few additional proposals courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association:

  • Keep a list of people to call on for help. Have telephone numbers easily accessible.
  • Ask neighbors, friends, and family to call if they see you alone.
  • Keep a recent, close-up photo and updated medical information on hand to give to police.
  • Know your neighborhood and make them aware of your condition. Pinpoint dangerous areas near your home, such as bodies of water, open stairwells, dense foliage, tunnels, bus stops and roads with heavy traffic.
  • Are you right or left-handed? Wandering generally follows the direction of the dominant hand.
  • Keep a list of places where you may wander. This could include past jobs, former homes, places of worship or a restaurant anything emotionally or historically significant to you.
 

With the advent of wireless and GPS technology, caregivers can now keep wanderers safe or find them quickly when they disappear. BEC Integrated Solutions Wander Management Systems can provide one such technology. Wander Management Systems consist of RFID-enabled technology that tracks the patient within set borders to guarantee their protection.

Another system — The Numera Libris GPS Cellular Network Location Device — can track the patient’s personal health data, daily activities and location at all times ensuring safety and immediate location accuracy specifically in cases of wandering.

The Anti Wandering & Fall Prevention System is yet another affordable and practical system that can be designed to fit you and your patient or loved one’s needs. Containing call-buttons, silent signaling to a centralized location, sensor pads, floor mats, pagers, and panic buttons, these devices are wireless and come without the burdensome cords that can oftentimes cause falls and injuries in patients.

BEC Integrated Solutions intent is to supply caregivers with affordable and user-friendly technology to help keep you or your loved one safe. Please contact us for a free quote.