Letter to the Editor

Sue Friedman President and CEO Alzheimer's Association of Central and Western Virginia Charlottesville
Published: July 25, 2008

To the Editor:
Whenever we read a story about an elderly person who is lost or who has wandered away from their home, our hearts go out to the individual’s loved ones and we eagerly watch the news in hopes of hearing about a safe return.
Unfortunately, such stories will no doubt continue to happen as studies that show wandering due to confusion, will occur in 60 percent of those with Alzheimer’s and other related disorders.
Wandering means to “move about without a purpose.“ However those with dementia often have a goal in mind, such as going home, even if they are living with family or in a facility. They are usually thinking of their childhood home or of going to work, forgetting they no longer have a job.
The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a partnership with Medical Alert called Safe Return®. The program allows someone with memory loss to wear a necklace or bracelet that gives an identification number and 800 phone number. If a citizen or emergency responder notices someone who is confused, badly injured, or in an emergency, a call to the 800 number will start an alert system. Family members are called and emergency workers can receive immediate information about the person’s medical history.
We encourage families to be proactive if they have a loved one who they believe could wander or get lost. Information is available by calling 800-272-3900 or you can visit http://www.alz.org/cwva.