Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.
The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.
This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:
- If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.
- Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.
Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:
- Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
- How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
- How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia
If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.
