Creating an Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit

Caring for a Connecticut senior loved one who lives with Alzheimer’s disease can be mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. Some of the most common characteristics of the disease –like agitation and wandering – are difficult to manage and can be dangerous when they aren’t.

Trying to keep your aging loved one safe can feel like an impossible challenge. Despite caregivers’ best efforts, the Alzheimer’s Association tells us that six in ten people who have the disease will wander. Equally troubling is that once a senior has wandered they are at greater risk for doing so again.

When someone with Alzheimer’s disease is missing, every minute is critical to their safe return. Because of that, families need to prepare for the worst case scenario. One way to do that is to create an Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit. It will make it easier for emergency responders begin their search more quickly.

7 Items You Need to Create an Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit

Launching a rapid response when a senior with Alzheimer’s disease goes missing means having the information and photos law enforcement and local media need ready to go. These are the items your Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit should include:

1. A detailed, written description of your senior loved one. The description needs to include their height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any identifying marks or features like tattoos, scars or any distinguishing features.
2. Have both hard copies and digital copies of recent photos of your senior loved one. Make sure they are crisp, clean photos that can be reproduced for searchers to use. Make a note on your calendar to update pictures every few months, especially if your loved one’s hairstyle or appearance has changes. An added plus is to have a few minutes of video with your loved one’s face clearly visible. This will be helpful for local media to use to alert the community.
3. Keep updated copies of their medical history, allergies and medications with the kit. Be certain the medical history includes each of their physician’s names and contact information.
4. Think about places your loved one may try to get to in the event they wander. Locations such as their past employer, important friends and loved one’s homes, and their church or synagogue are all possibilities. Keep a written copy of the list of these places complete with addresses with your wandering kit. It may help law enforcement if they have to initiate a search.
5. If your senior loved one is still driving, it is important to have a written description of their car with the make, model, year, and license plate number. Authorities can use that to alert law enforcement in surrounding counties quickly.
6. Have both written and digital copies of all of the information contained in your Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit and make sure you store it in an easily accessible location. Also give close family members a copy just in case you aren’t around when an emergency occurs.

 

One final recommendation is to have a list of nearby friends and neighbors set up in your cell phone and in your email. Send out a quick email blast and text message as soon as you think your loved one is missing. It will help alert those closest to you to be on the lookout for your loved one.
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