Ask Miriam – May 2023
Dear Miriam,
I take care of my mother who has had Alzheimer’s disease for just over a year. She is still in the early stages, but it definitely seems to be progressing. I live with her and my father, who is her primary caregiver since I work full-time, but, unfortunately, my father is not very mobile, and it is challenging for him to keep up with her. She had a recent incident when she walked out of our home unnoticed and was gone for hours. The police brought her back, but it was a traumatic experience for all of us, and I am worried it might happen again. We cannot afford to hire a caregiver, and we do not have family nearby who can help us. What should we do?
—Worried Daughter
Dear Worried,
I appreciate your writing to get help with keeping your mother safe. I understand your concerns about her leaving the house. This is called “wandering,” and it is a common behavior for people with dementia. Your mother could have thought that there was somewhere she had to go, such as work or shopping, or she could have simply been restless. However, going out alone can be risky if your mother gets confused and no longer knows where she is or how to get back home.
One of the first things you can do is enroll your mother in the MedicAlert® Foundation. This program provides 24/7 assistance and support for people with Alzheimer’s who wander. It includes a bracelet or necklace with identification and a toll-free emergency response line to help locate your mother if she wanders off again.
In the County of Los Angeles, there is also a program called LA Found, in which a trackable bracelet is worn by the person with dementia. The bracelet works by emitting a radio frequency (RF) signal every couple of seconds if a person is reported missing. Then a specially equipped team, including helicopter and ground, assists with search and rescue.
Another option to consider is installing motion sensor lights in the yard and a security camera system at home. This will help you and your father monitor your mother’s movements and prevent her from wandering off. Additionally, you may want to consider using GPS tracking devices to monitor your mother’s location if she does leave the home.
Think about looking into an adult day program for your mother, which would offer socialization, cognitive stimulation, and supervision during the day and provide respite for your father. In addition, know that it can be stressful to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. It may be beneficial for you and your father to join a support group for caregivers, many of which are now offered virtually.
For more information about wandering, scholarships for MedicAlert, and different types of wandering technology, please call our Helpline at (844) 435-7259.
Best,
Miriam
Questions for Miriam can be sent to askmiriam@alzla.org.