Information on your loved one and how to reach you will be kept at the Sheriff's Department and at the Chapter Office. If your patient refuses to wear the free bracelet or necklace, you may want to invest in an item that your loved one would wear and have the same information engraved on it. Some people who live in Southwest Florida part time have chosen to engrave their own telephone numbers at both locations on the identification item. If your loved one will not wear any item, consider putting it in his pocket or try again later.
Some experts even recommend putting identification on the person's dentures or attaching a sensor to the patient's ankle or wrist. In addition, choose bright-colored clothing and mark it with sew-on or iron-on label, permanent marker, or reflective material. Also, place identification on the person's shoes, eye glasses and keys. Try to be aware of what clothing your patient is wearing each day--make notes if necessary.
Involve your neighbors. Inform your neighbors of the person's condition and keep a list of their names and telephone numbers handy. Although neighbors can be helpful in guiding the person home, you'll probably want to teach them how to approach the person with Alzheimer's disease by using these steps:
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Approach the person from the front.
Introduce yourself and call or ask a name.
Gently look for or ask to see identification,
Offer help and re-establish the day, date, and time.
Avoid pulling or pushing the person.
Report the patient found.
Act immediately. As soon as you realize that your loved one is not where you thought he was:
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Begin to look for him close by.
Call his name. inform neighbors that he is missing and ask them to help you look.
Be aware that right handed people are apt to make right turns and vice-versa.
Call the Sheriff's Department or 911
If you are registered with the Alzheimer's Support Network Wanderer's Identification Program give the Sheriff's Department/911 your loved one's code number.
Call your local Alzheimer's Support Network Helpline They will stand by you until your loved one is found.
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