Here is a program that I am happy to see. About 60 percent of those suffering from Alzheimer's wander. And now, this county is doing something about it by offering the bracelets free to local seniors with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia at the start of the program.
I cannot imagine the fear that is felt when a loved one suddenly disappears. I know its easy to blame but I know from my own experience with my mother you just can't be there every second of every day. No matter how hard you try.
Some of my mother's friends who use to take her places now won't do it because they are afraid she will fall or wander away. I don't blame them. It is a big responsibility to take on an Alzheimer's patient.
Also see:
Alzheimer's: Understand and control wandering
Do you have the Silver Alert Program in your state? Probably not.
NY suburb gives GPS to Alzheimer's patients
A county in New York's northern suburbs has a new program that will issue global positioning system tracking bracelets to Alzheimer's disease patients with a history of wandering.
Westchester County's Project Lifesaver will help police locate those who have wandered using a radio signal transmitted from the GPS bracelets. The county is offering the bracelets free to 100 local seniors with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia at the start of the program.
County Executive Andy Spano says the program gives caregivers some much needed peace of mind. He spoke on Tuesday as local police found a 93-year-old Scarsdale man with Alzheimer's disease reported missing on Saturday.
The Alzheimer's Association says about 60 percent of Alzheimer's patients wander.
