Lost…a person with memory impairment.
A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially senior citizens with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their being found.
How often have we seen these posts on our local Patch, the news or other media?
Why do they happen?
Families often do not recognize that their loved ones are at risk for wandering. Many people with memory impairment are also directionally challenged. That’s not the same as the joke of “most men will never ask for directions”. This condition is related to how their brains perceive visual spatial differences.
What are the warning signs and how can you prevent this from happening without restricting freedom?
1. Always make sure the person has identification on them.
2. Consider a Safe Return alert bracelet from the Alzheimer’s Association. For information visithttps://www.alz.org/national/documents/topicsheet_safereturn.pdf
3. Enlist your neighbors to keep an eye out for the person on the move.
4. Keep the person active and engaged. Try introducing a walking buddy.
5. Tracking devices on most cell phones can also pin point the person’s location
Another great resource is
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/25/tech/innovation/alzheimers-smart-home/