Keeping those with dementia safe this summer
Spring has sprung and summer
is upon us! People tend to spend
more time outside enjoying the
beautiful weather. Often this leads to
increased incidents of people with Alzheimer’s
disease and related dementias
wandering from their home or
caregivers. If you are currently caring
for someone with dementia, knowing
how to limit wandering and preventing
that person from becoming lost,
will help keep her person safe and give
you greater peace of mind.
Try to follow these steps before
the person with Alzheimer’s disease
wanders:
Make sure the person carries ID or
wears a medical bracelet. If the person
gets lost and can’t communicate
clearly, an ID will let others know
about his or her illness. It also provides
a way to fi nd out where the person
lives.
Consider enrolling the person in
the Wanderer’s Safety Program. Visit
www.caringkindnyc.org/Wander-
Safety or call 646-744-2900 to enroll.
Let neighbors and the local police
know that the person with Alzheimer’s
tends to wander. Ask them to alert
you immediately if the person is seen
alone and on the move.
Place labels in garments to aid in
Set Your Sight on Perfect Vision
New York Laser Vision is committed to excellence in Eye Care.
Experienced Physicians. State of the art Equipment and Facility.
Best possible results. Schedule you consultation with one of our
Doctors today!
open 7 days a week
Serving the Brooklyn Community
for Over 15 Years
2464 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Biana Gekht
Board Certied Optometrist
Dr. Jinyoung Choe
Certied Ortho-K Specialist
we speak Spanish, Russian, Korean, French
718 676 6464 - www.nylaservision.com
COURIER L 60 IFE, JUNE 21–27, 2019 M BR B G
Eye care for Children and Adults
Dry Eye and Eyelid Problems- Unique Laser Treatment
Premium Laser Cataract Surgery
Glaucoma Management and Treatment
LASIK vision Correction
Diabetic Eye Disease
Glasses and Contact Lens Fitting
Dr. Rachel Mindin
Board Certied Optometrist
Dr. Julia Giyaur, MD
Board Certied Ophthalmologist
identifi cation.
Keep an article of the person’s
worn, unwashed clothing in a plastic
bag to aid in fi nding him or her with
the use of dogs.
Keep a recent photograph or video
recording of the person to help police
if he or she becomes lost.
Here are some tips to help prevent
the person with Alzheimer’s
from wandering away from home:
Keep doors locked. Consider a keyed
deadbolt, or add another lock placed
up high or down low on the door. If the
person can open a lock, you may need
to get a new latch or lock.
Use loosely fi tting doorknob covers
so that the cover turns instead of the
actual knob. (Due to potential hazard
they could cause if an emergency exit
is needed, locked doors and doorknob
covers should be used only when a
caregiver is present.)
Place STOP, DO NOT ENTER, or
CLOSED signs on doors.
Divert the attention
of the person with
Alzheimer’s disease
away from using the
door by placing small
scenic posters on the
door; placing removable
gates, curtains,
or brightly colored
streamers across the
door; or wallpapering
the door to match any
adjoining walls.
Install safety devices
found in hardware
stores to limit
how much window can
be opened.
Install an “announcing
system” that
chimes when the door
opens.
Secure the yard with
fencing and a locked
gate.
Keep shoes, keys,
suitcases, coats, hats, and other signs
of departure out of sight.
Do not leave a person with Alzheimer’s
who has a history of wandering
unattended.
If someone you’re caring for
goes lost, please contact 911 fi rst.
For more information about the MedicAlert
® NYC Wanderer’s Safety Program
and many other caregiving
resources and programs, all free of
charge, call CaringKind’s free 24-
hour Helpline at 646-744-2900 or visit
www.caringkindnyc.org.
Wellness
Care
Chronicle
Jed Levine
If you are currently caring for someone with dementia, knowing
how to limit wandering and preventing that person from
becoming lost will help keep the person safe. Getty Images
/www.caringkindnyc.org
/Wander-Safety
/www.nylaservision.com
/Wander-Safety
/Wander-
/www.nylaservision.com
/www.caringkindnyc.org