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Ann Julian, LCSW-R, MSW
Special to Alzheimer's Weekly
August 19 - August 25

Cathy’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003, but the real problems did not begin until three years ago, when the wanderings began.

Finding someone to care for her mother during the day while she worked was not easy, because there were few aides in her area who were willing to take on the job of watching an adult who might suddenly disappear without a word.

The nights were even worse.  Exhausted, Cathy found herself juggling her marriage while trying to keep an eye on her mother.  She never felt comfortable sleeping, because she was never sure her mother would stay in bed for the night.

Mom had reached the point where she could no longer remember her own address or phone number.  She would leave the house suddenly, and wander off without telling anyone.  Worse, she usually became lost within minutes, even in her own neighborhood – a confusing and scary experience for her, and a terrifying experience for her family.

Sadly, this is a problem that eventually creeps up in every family in which a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The simplest method used by family members to help keep track of their loved ones uses a bracelet, necklace or other item that contains identifying information about its wearer.  Such an item also directs the person who finds the patient to call police who can then notify the family by tapping into a national registry network. The family’s loved one and caregiver is registered with the service for a one-time fee. (A link to information on where to get this and other options that follow is at the end of this article.)

Fortunately, technology also has come up with ways to help overwhelmed caretakers and their beloved victims with items referred to as “wander management” products.

Today there are special alarms that notify a family member if their loved one manages to open a door and leave the house. These are called “wander alarm systems.”

There is also a more sophisticated system, known as an “electronic monitoring and tracking system,” which constantly monitors the patient and alerts the family member and/or caretaker if he or she moves beyond the defined boundary. This system can track a patient up to one mile away.

These systems generally involve the use of a bracelet or other device worn by the family member which sends out a signal that can be tracked using a GPS (global positioning system). In some systems, a chip is inserted into a shoe.

Other systems employ the use of a cellular phone. One phone company offers a service for a monthly fee that allows a family member or caregiver to simply call up the location of the patient’s handset from a computer at home or their own cell phone.

A similar phone company service sets off an alarm when the person holding the alarmed handset strays outside a pre-specified area. 

The problem with both of these systems, however, is that they rely on the patient to keep the phone with him or her. If the phone is dropped or left on a store counter, the family member can track the patient’s last known location, but will still be faced with the necessity of searching for the person if he or she leaves.

One company is testing out a system that uses an under-the-skin chip that can be scanned by medical staff at a hospital in case the person is found injured.

Another service not only tracks down your loved one, but will also contact the nearest law enforcement authority and/or emergency responder agency to assist in search and rescue efforts.  This government-funded service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There are many more systems, designed both for home and larger facilities that can help keep track of a loved one and prevent him or her from wandering off and becoming lost.

Moreover, there are also products available that help monitor Alzheimer’s patients who are living independently.

One such system provides a “passive alarm” which operates at night using a timer. It monitors the person’s bedtime hours and sets off an alarm if the patient does not enter the bed. The alarm deactivates when the person enters the bed, and a separate, bed-exit alarm activates, with a delay set to allow for a certain amount of exit time (ie: for bathroom or snacks).  A door alarm is similarly set off if the person leaves the house and does not return within a set amount of time.

In addition to the myriad items available for purchase, there is also an organization that operates as a clearinghouse to monitor and in some cases fund research on new technologies in this field, the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST).

CAST is a coalition of more than 400 different organizations, universities, companies and government representatives who are all dedicated to developing ways to help families of Alzheimer’s patients keep their loved ones safe.

There are many products available today to assist families and other caregivers to keep track of an Alzheimer’s patient, lending a sense of security to both parties.

Even if things reach a point where it is no longer feasible for the patient to remain at home, a family member can still rest assured that his or her loved one will remain safe, be it in an assisted living environment or a more structured setting.

Take a look at a few of the current wander prevention products and services by clicking into the following article:

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