Senior Seasons

1-650-851-5284

  • A A A
  • Getting Started
  • Senior Housing Costs & Definitions
  • Resources
  • Expert Insights
  • About Us
    • Clients
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Care Giving / Wandering Loved Ones-Keep them Safe

May 19, 2015 by Senior Seasons

Wandering Loved Ones-Keep them Safe

by Pamela Spahr…  Even when my husband was in a skilled nursing home after being diagnosed with dementia, he wanted to wander. When I brought him home, I was terrified that he would walk out the front door and that I would not be able to stop him. It was a wakeup call for me! I needed to find better ways to keep him safe.

Here are some ideas I have used and would like to share with you.

Be alert to their movements.

  • You can use alarm mats at external doors or on the floor beside a bed.
  • You can also use baby monitors in different rooms in the house.
  • You can install a latch at the top of the door, which is hard for loved ones to reach.

Have a plan. Wandering can happen anytime.

Create a master profile form in advance that includes:

  • Your loved one’s personal information.
  • Your name and contact information, so that searchers can get hold of you.
  • A good, recent, frontal photo of your loved one.
  • Create a list of telephone numbers of people who will look for your loved one.
  • Designate one person to be in charge of the list, who will call the others on the list if something happens.
  • Place a printed copy of flyer and telephone list in a conspicuous place in the house, so that you know exactly where they are in an emergency.
  • Have an electronic version of the flyer available.

If the unthinkable happens, do this:

  • Don’t go looking your loved one.
  • Enter the remaining data on the profile form, such as last seen date and time and what he or she was wearing.
  • Call 911 FIRST. Police can mobilize patrols instantly.
  • Print many copies of the profile form for distribution.
  • Call the lead person on the telephone list, so he or she can notify the remaining people on the list about the problem.
Inspired Caregivers www.inspiredcaregivers.com

This material is copyright protected. 

Filed Under: Care Giving, Dementia, Safety for Seniors Tagged With: dementia, emergency, inspired caregivers, safety, wander

Comments

  1. Clare Pimental says

    April 6, 2017 at 4:44 am

    Very useful information. I’d also like to suggest that a gps tracker is very useful. When my mom was still active, it enabled us to locate her and bring her home safely.

Contact Us

  • *by clicking "Submit" you affirm your agreement to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Contact Us

San Francisco Bay Area
Main Office
Tel: 650-851-5284

San Mateo & San Francisco Counties
Tel: 408-737-2049

Santa Clara & Alameda Counties
Tel: 408-737-2049

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on YouTube
Senior Seasons blocks

Expert Insights Topics

  • About Moving (18)
  • Affordable Housing (2)
  • Care Giving (23)
  • Dementia (13)
  • Estate Planning (1)
  • Financial (7)
  • Legal (3)
  • News (15)
  • Safety for Seniors (10)
  • Senior Housing (27)
  • Veteran's Benefits (1)
  • Video (3)
Senior Seasons, Inc. BBB Business Review

Send Us A Message

  • *by clicking "Submit" you affirm your agreement to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use· A Spectrum Site