Take My Hand At Home

At Home Care

  • Home
  • Services
  • Resources
  • In-Home Assessments
  • Blog
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Client Login

How to prevent those with memory loss from wandering off

January 4, 2018 By Take My Hand

Wandering is a not-uncommon feature of memory loss and dementia. When our loved ones get confused or disoriented, when they fail to recognize where they are, or when they forget what they’re doing, they might start to wander in search of something they do recognize or remember.

Stats show that six in 10 people with dementia are prone to wandering.

The good news is that it’s a well-known phenomenon, and there are strategies that we can employ to keep our loved ones as safe as possible. Here are some ideas:

Maintain routine. An established routine of certain activities at certain times — especially during those times your loved one is most prone to wander, such as in the evenings — can go a long way toward preventing spontaneous exits.

Discourage exit. Wandering isn’t a well-planned activity, and thus placing a few cognitive barriers can reduce the likelihood of wandering. For example, locks on exterior doors should be placed out of sight. Car keys, too, should be kept somewhere safe, not on the kitchen counter where a loved one might spot them and leave during a moment of confusion. The Alzheimer’s Association maintains a helpful home-safety checklist full of great advice.

Use technology. Devices are available that can help to track your loved ones if they leave the house. The local Alzheimer Society of Washington, for example, has a program called Project Lifesaver through which it hands out free bracelets that can be worn by wanderers. The bracelets use radio frequency to keep tabs on a person’s location. The bracelets are free, but there’s a $15 monthly fee for the batteries and changing. Other tech options also are available, and some combination of various ideas might be best for you.

Rely on others. Wandering can be especially dangerous at night, when the rest of the house is asleep. That’s one reason why Take My Hand At-Home Care offers overnight and even 24-hour shifts, so loved ones can sleep while our caregiver companions watch the home and ensure everyone is kept as safe, healthy and happy as possible. We’re a locally owned and operated eldercare provider seeking to help the people of Whatcom County live their best lives.

Remember that wandering can be common among loved ones with dementia, but with planning and support from those around you, it’s manageable. For additional guidance and support, feel free to contact Take My Hand At-Home Care.

 

Filed Under: Caregiving, Long-term care, Memory loss, Resources for caregivers Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, alzheimer’s care, assisted living near Bellingham, at-home care, at-home hospice care, Bellingham caregiver, caregiver for older adults, Everson caregivers, Ferndale at home caregiving, help for memory loss, help with wandering, home health for seniors, living safely at home, Lynden Caregivers, Lynden eldercare, overnight caregiving, respite for family caregivers, Sumas caregiving, temporary respite for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

Whatcom County resources for older adults and their caregivers

December 6, 2017 By Take My Hand

Occasionally, we sit back and think about how fortunate we are to have such amazing resources available in Whatcom County for senior care. Truly, there are wonderful support systems in place in Bellingham and throughout the area.

With the new year approaching, many are thinking about how to make positive changes in life (and in the lives of those in their care). These resources can help. Here are a few we often rely on at Take My Hand At-Home Care:

Northwest Regional Council: The NWRC is the hub of the wheel when it comes to resources for senior citizens in Whatcom County. Begun in 1971 as a collaboration among Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom County elected officials, NWRC focuses on providing services for adults with disabilities and the elderly. As Northwest Washington’s Area Agency on Aging, it provides a host of services for everyone needing long-term care. With information both for the aging and for their family caregivers, NWRC is a lifeline for those who need it. Just give them a call to see what options might be available for your unique family situation.

Whatcom Council on Aging: The WCOA, an independent nonprofit serving local senior citizens since 1964, offers a number of services for area adults, including the Meals on Wheels and More program, Bellingham Senior Activity Center and Bellingham at Home, a virtual community for area seniors.

Elder Service Providers: Speaking of support for caregivers, Elder Service Providers does wonders in Whatcom County for those who care for others including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, caregiver agencies and more. Their mission is to build up the community of caregivers in Whatcom County, and they do it in a number of ways, including monthly luncheons and an annual caregiver conference.

Alzheimer Society of Washington: Those caring for individuals with dementia or other memory issues can benefit greatly from the Alzheimer Society of Washington, which is based in Bellingham. In addition to a number of support groups for caregivers and support groups for individuals with memory loss, the Alzheimer Society provides Staying Connected classes to provide ongoing support for those with early memory loss and dementia-related diseases.

These are a handful of Whatcom County organizations that provide wonderful support both for caregivers and for their loved ones. Of course, you may always contact Take My Hand At-Home Care for more information; we can help guide you through the process of caring for an elderly loved one at home. We are here to help!

 

Filed Under: Aging in place, Caregiving, Elder loneliness, Local senior citizen events, Resources for caregivers, Resources for senior citizens Tagged With: Aging-In-Place, assisted living near Bellingham, at-home care, Bellingham caregiver, caregiver for older adults, companion care for elderly, elder loneliness, help for caregivers, home health for seniors, living safely at home, long-term care help at home, Lynden Caregivers, resources for caregivers, resources for seniors, respite for family caregivers, temporary respite for caregivers, Whatcom County Eldercare

Recent posts

  • How to spot cognitive decline in a loved one
  • How to practice thankfulness — and how it can improve your life
  • Does your elderly loved one need a healthcare advocate?
  • ADUs can be part of cost-effective option for eldercare
  • Should I take my parent out of assisted living during COVID-19?

Post categories

How to spot cognitive decline in a loved one

Cognitive lapses are fairly common among older adults, with subjective cognitive decline affecting roughly one in nine people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s natural to be concerned that a loved one might experience dementia, Alzheimer’s or a similar brain decline in older age. How can you tell whether cognitive decline might be happening to someone you know … [Read More...]

ABOUT US

Sue Sorensen became involved with Whatcom County eldercare and aging-in-place services in 2009. She launched Take My Hand At-Home Care in January 2012 … Read More...

  • Home
  • Services
  • Resources
  • In-Home Assessments
  • Blog
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Client Login

Recent Posts

  • How to spot cognitive decline in a loved one
  • How to practice thankfulness — and how it can improve your life
  • Does your elderly loved one need a healthcare advocate?
  • ADUs can be part of cost-effective option for eldercare
  • Should I take my parent out of assisted living during COVID-19?

Contact US

Phone: 360-543-5777
Fax: 360-255-7564
info@takemyhandathome.com*
*If you need immediate assistance for a loved one please contact us by phone.

 

  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2021 · Log in