Founded by Public Safety Officers, Project Lifesaver International (PLI), is an organization whose sole mission is to provide a timely response to save the lives of adults and children with Autism, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, Dementia, and other conditions, who wander. Started in 1999, PLI has offered public outreach programs to educate others about wandering. They have also provided equipment, training, certification and support to law enforcement and public safety officials through the country. These trainings include in-depth information on the use of specialized electronic search and rescue equipment technology and most importantly, how to communicate with people with cognitive or…
When you become a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease your life changes drastically. From often-repeated questions to bizarrely compulsive behaviors to personality changes, you must deal with many bewildering, frustrating, and worrying behaviors…and you must also face the knowledge that your loved one’s condition is degenerative (and ultimately fatal). No two cases of dementia are the same, but many do share similar characteristics, and there are practical ways to deal with so-called “problem” behaviors. Here are five of them, as well as how you can most effectively respond: PROBLEM: Compulsive Behaviors. Your loved one may constantly check…
Although, wandering is a major concern for a caregiver, wandering requires addressing only if it presents safety issues or is causing distress. Using an identification bracelet can be helpful – see the Alzheimer’s Association website. Wandering in a person with dementia can be: • Coping with stress • Making sense of their environment • Seeking something or someone recognizable • Wanting to go their childhood “home.”
More than 60 percent of those with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia will wander, and if a person is not found within 24 hours, up to half of individuals who wander will suffer serious injury or death. If you live with or care for a person with dementia, here are a few tips to help you reduce the risk of wandering: Move around and exercise to reduce anxiety, agitation and restlessness Ensure all basic needs are met (toileting, nutrition, thirst) Carry out daily activities, such as folding laundry or preparing dinner, to provide daily structure Reassure the person if…
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