If you care for someone with dementia, keeping them secure can be a real challenge. Dementia often causes wandering, posing safety and emotional risks to caregivers. Wandering alarms for dementia is one helpful solution to ensure your loved one's safety.
So, get ready to learn as we'll explain what these alarms are and how they can assist.
What Are Wandering Alarms for Dementia?
Wandering alarms for dementia are devices that notify caregivers when someone with dementia walks away from a designated safe area. These can be worn as bracelets or necklaces or attached to clothing or wheelchairs; when the device's wearer crosses over an edge – like a door or window – an alert is sent directly to either their device or monitoring center.
Types of Wandering Alarms
There are various wandering alarms for dementia patients, such as door and window, bed and chair, and personal alarms.
- Door/window alarms: alert caregivers when someone attempts to leave by opening the door or window;
- bed/chair alarms: detect when someone gets up from bed/chair, indicating they may be on the move;
- Personal alarms: serve as wearable devices that notify caregivers when someone with dementia leaves a designated safe area.
Integrate Wandering Alarms Into Caregiving
Wandering alarms for dementia should be used in combination with other safety measures to protect your loved one. This could include keeping doors and windows locked, removing potential triggers like mirrors or shiny objects, and providing meaningful activities supporting the person's engagement and occupation. Furthermore, it's essential to involve the person living with dementia in the decision-making processes and explain its purpose calmly and reassuringly.
Benefits of Wandering Alarms for Dementia
- Provide Peace of Mind for Caregivers: Wandering alarms for dementia can give caregivers a feeling of security, knowing their loved one has left a secure area and needs alerting if they venture away. This gives caregivers extra protection and peace of mind knowing their loved one won't wander off accidentally.
- Help prevent accidents, such as falls or getting lost: Wandering can be especially hazardous for individuals with dementia if they become disoriented or lost. Wandering alarms can help mitigate these risks by alerting caregivers of a person's whereabouts.
- Reduce caregiver stress and anxiety: Caring for a loved one with dementia can be stressful and anxious, especially regarding their safety. Wandering alarms can provide an extra layer of protection, helping reduce some of this strain.
- Keep Your Loved One Independent and Dignified: Wandering alarms can help your loved one maintain their independence by enabling them to move around freely within a designated safe area. This also helps preserve dignity by eliminating the need for constant supervision.
- Protect Your Loved One's Safety and Security: Wandering alarms for dementia ensure the safety and security of those with dementia. They can help prevent accidents and give caregivers peace of mind.
Costs of Wandering Alarms for Dementia
The cost of wandering alarms for dementia can vary based on the type and associated monitoring fees. While some warnings may be expensive, they provide invaluable peace of mind to caregivers and guarantee the safety of their loved ones. Many caregivers find the expense well worth it, given the potential risks of wandering.
