Q: My dad has Alzheimer's disease and has begun to wander. I am afraid he will get lost and will not be able to find his way home. Can the Alzheimer's Association help?
A: Yes. You should register your father immediately in our Safe Return program, a nationwide alert system that works with police and the media to help locate wanderers and ensure their safe return home - even if they wander out of state.
Here is how it works. Safe Return is a nationwide identification and support program working at the community level. Assistance is available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year, whenever a person is lost or found. One call immediately activates the community support network to help reunite a lost person with Alzheimer's disease with his or her caregivers.
When you enroll your dad, your Safe Return benefits are:
The Alzheimer's Association 24-hour toll-free emergency incident and enrollment line
Personalized identification products
A Caregiver checklist, which provides useful tips when someone is missing
Enrollment in a national information and photo database that includes emergency contact information to help reunite lost individuals with their caregivers
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Nationwide Contact Center for information and care consultation
The resources of your Alzheimer's Association local chapter, which provides information, support, and other services
Education and training on wandering behavior for families, caregivers and emergency responders
Free enrollment is available for all New York City residents living in the five boroughs under a generous grant from the New York City Council, administered by Edwin Mendez-Santiago, commissioner of the Department for the Aging.
Since there is no fool-proof way to prevent wandering, even by the most vigilant caregiver, registering your loved one in the Safe Return program is an important way to ensure his or her safety.
Registration is easy. Visit the NYC Chapter website at www.alznyc.org or call, 1-646-744-2918.
For help with this or any other dementia situation or for a list of our services visit our website at www.alznyc.org or call our 24-hour helpline 1-800 272-3900. There is always a caring and informed person at the other end of the line to help you.
- The Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter
If you have a question for the Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, please send it to Jed Levine at expert@alznyc.org
