Holidays Hard for Alzheimer's Patients, Caregivers ...
Holidays Hard for Alzheimer's Patients, Caregivers
Medic Alert Safe Return bracelets, support groups
Updated: Friday, 10 Dec 2010, 7:27 PM EST
Published : Friday, 10 Dec 2010, 6:20 PM EST
Beth
Galvin
By: BETH GALVIN/myfoxatlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. - The holidays can be a very confusing time for people with memory problems. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is that it can cause a person to become restless and wander off from their home.
The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association says they usually see rise in the number of memory-impaired people getting lost during the holidays. But, there may be a simple way to help bring them home safely.
It's hard to imagine someone you love being lost at the world's busiest airport, but that is where a missing 89-year old Pickens County woman was found Thursday night-- a day and a half after she disappeared. She's somehow made it 70 miles to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from her home in Jasper.
Kim Franklin, the safe return manager of the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, says people with memory problems often wander, and the holidays can trigger restlessness by disrupting normal routines.
"When there is a lot going on, and there's a lot of chaos in the house or people in the house, it can lead to more increased agitation and confusion and so they may wander due to that," said Franklin.
Sometimes, that restlessness can be dangerous. Last week, police believe a 79-year-old woman with dementia from Gwinnett County may have been driving around Interstate 285 in circles for hours before she was found.
"Sixty-seven percent of these individuals are at risk of wandering,” Franklin explained. “So we just really urge to take action immediately, instead of waiting until the person wanders."
Franklin says a Medic Alert Safe Return bracelet can help. It looks just like a medical alert bracelet, but it's designed so that it can't be pulled off.
"It's got this clasp where once it locks around the closing of the bracelet, it's pretty solid, you have to have two hands to be able to get it open,” said Franklin. “Sometimes it's a challenge to be able to get it open with two hands."
On the back of the bracelet, it says the person is memory-impaired, tells you their first name and gives a 1-800 number to call to alert authorities.
“That's how we access all the information and get in touch with family members or caregivers to let them know that we have the person in a specific location,” said Franklin.
Franklin says if you see someone who appears lost or disoriented, ask them if you can help.
“You may kind of see a confused look on the individual's face, but a lot of times, if you asked them if they need help, they say they don't need help,” said Franklin. “Sometimes it's hard to pick that person out of a crowd.”
That's why a little bracelet can help the lost find their way home again.
There is a one-time $50 charge for the Medic Alert Safe Return bracelet, and a yearly enrollment fee of $30. But, for families that cannot afford it, the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association may be able to pay for it.
For more information on the Medic Alert Safe Return bracelet, go to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website: www.alz.org. Or call toll-free 1-888-572-8566.
If you need assistance, the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 hotline. Again, it’s toll-free 1-800-272-3900.
Resources for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
The job of taking care of a once-independent family member who is now struggling with Alzheimer’s disease is a 24-7 and often thankless job. But, there are resources that can provide help.
Many caregivers say they feel isolated and overwhelmed. The Alzheimer’s Association knows this, and they have support groups, message boards and other assistance programs created with those caregivers in mind.
Bill Craig of Norcross says joining a couple of support groups has helped him realize - he's not alone. After more than 60 years as a couple, Bill and his wife, Carole, still have that spark that convinced them to take on the world together, marrying when they were just 16 and 19.
"Number one, she was about the cutest thing I thought I've ever seen in my life,” said Bill Craig. “Still is."
But at 74, Carole-- a gifted painter-- is battling Alzheimer's disease. She now lives in an assisted care facility, and Bill has gone from being Carole's husband to being her caregiver, a role that's tough.
"The only thing I can say is you're going to have to have a lot of patience and you're going to have to have a lot of love," Bill said.
Bill Craig says he has begun doing many things his wife always did, many of which he never knew about. He says it’s been a real eye-opener.
Kim Franklin says taking care of a loved one makes it tough to take care of yourself.
"Take a break. If you can, take a break,” she advises. “If you've got family members or friends that can help out with the care giving role, usually that helps-- or utilizing the adult day centers in the area.”
Bill says the Alzheimer's Association helped put him in touch with two support groups that have been a saving grace.
“I would say the most important thing you can do is join an Alzheimer's support group, and they're all
over town,” he said. “You get support. You see that you're not the only person in the world that's dealing with this everyday."
Bill says Alzheimer's may have changed their lives, but it hasn't changed their love for each other.
If you need assistance, the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 hotline. It’s toll-free 1-800-272-3900.
