Alzheimer’s is a progressive and incurable neurological disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior. According to our long-time partner, , there are currently more than six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and the number is rapidly growing.
A staggering statistic is that 6 out of 10 people with dementia will wander from safety. When someone with dementia wanders, they’re often unable to tell others where they live or how to contact their caregiver. If they aren’t located within a few hours, the odds of injury or death increase dramatically. That’s why MedicAlert partnered with Alzheimer’s Association to provide Safe and Found services that help improve outcomes in a wandering incident.
We are specialists in wandering safety. When a MedicAlert member is reported missing, MedicAlert creates and distributes a bulletin to local hospitals and law enforcement, and coordinates with the family to facilitate their loved one’s safe return home. When your loved one wanders and can’t communicate, MedicAlert can be their voice.
Living with Alzheimer’s can be stressful. One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen in an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the medical ID for Alzheimer’s, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with Alzheimer’s, their families and caregivers.
Every year, more than 500 people who wandered from a safe environment are located thanks to MedicAlert IDs and the Safe & Found program.
If your loved one wanders, we’re here 24/7 to help ensure a safe return home.
In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.
And find the protection plan that’s right for you.
Dementia is a general term for conditions that have a group of symptoms including memory loss, cognitive decline, and impaired communication. Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia, and the most common type – accounting for 60-80% of cases. Alzheimer’s affects memory, language and thought, and gets worse with time. Neither Alzheimer’s nor dementia are part of the normal aging process.
According to the National Institute on Aging, many more people under age 65 also have the disease. Unless a cure or preventative measures can be found, current trends suggest the number of people with Alzheimer’s will increase because advancing age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s progression is classified into three states: early, moderate, and severe. People with Alzheimer’s typically experience symptoms in their mid-60’s, but early-onset cases can begin as early as the 30’s. Early Alzheimer’s symptoms can include:
As Alzheimer’s progresses, these symptoms worsen and increasingly interfere with daily life, ultimately making it difficult for people with the condition to carry on conversations or respond to their environment.
For someone who is at risk of wandering, MedicAlert is a real lifeline for them and their families.
The cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, but scientists believe that it develops from a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
Alzheimer’s causes brain cells to die and breaks down connections between brain cells. The telltale sign of Alzheimer’s is abnormal protein deposits in the brain called plaques and tangles. However, these can only be seen posthumously in an autopsy of the brain. Still, specialists can diagnose Alzheimer’s with great accuracy by assessing other symptoms.
Increasing age is the largest Alzheimer’s risk factor. Most individuals living with the disease are over age 60, although there are a growing number of people who experience early onset Alzheimer’s.
Living with Alzheimer’s is never easy. Those dealing with even earlier symptoms can become overwhelmed, feel out of place, become depressed, or get frustrated dealing with memory loss and life not working the way it once did.
Some of the most common challenges those living with Alzheimer’s tend to face are:
An Alzheimer’s ID bracelet works best when it is tailored with your custom information and easily readable for anyone who may be trying to help you in a crisis. Important medical and emergency contact information that is available at a first responder’s fingertips will allow them to treat you quickly and effectively.
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for Alzheimer’s.
Every year, more than 500 people who wandered from a safe environment are located thanks to MedicAlert IDs and the Safe & Found program.
Implementing strategies to stop wandering is your first step. But even in the safest of situations, wandering still happens. If the person who wandered is not brought to safety in a few hours, the chances of a negative outcome increase dramatically. Equipping a loved one living with Alzheimer’s with a MedicAlert ID and Protection Plan significantly improves their chances for a safe return home. MedicAlert also provides family and caregivers with invaluable peace of mind.
As part of a MedicAlert Protection Plan, the Safe & Found Program is available 24/7 to assist with wandering emergencies. In the event a person with dementia should wander, families and caregivers can activate the support provided by this program by calling and reporting the person missing.
MedicAlert’s team will then:
If someone who has wandered is found by a first responder or Good Samaritan:
To help reduce the risk of wandering, here are some helpful tips. Be aware, though, that even in the safest environments, wandering can still occur.
For individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, the following strategies help reduce the risk of wandering or getting lost.
MedicAlert Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association are long term collaborators in addressing the wandering crisis.
For those with Alzheimer’s, it’s best practice to use multiple IDs. The more layers of protection, the better. For example, you might pair a bracelet for Alzheimer’s with a bright ID tag and an ID sticker on the person’s mobility device. Bright colors can be especially useful for helping others identify a less traditional medical ID tag.
While many folks with Alzheimer’s are fine with wearing a medical ID bracelet, jewelry is not for everyone. Some elderly adults with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive challenges have a problem with an ever-present bracelet. Though for those who tolerate a bracelet, unremovable medical IDs for Alzheimer’s can be a good way to make sure the ID is not removed, during a wandering incident for example.
Non-removable IDs for Alzheimer’s have intentionally a difficult-to-open clasp (often called a “sister hook”) that requires 2 hands to open, such as recommended by Alzheimer’s organizations. To make the bracelet more difficult to remove, it can be placed on the person’s writing hand.
A common question is: Does my loved one need a medical ID if they have a tracking device? Yes, the more layers of identification, the better. Additionally, pairing IDs and tracking devices with a MedicAlert Protection Plan that includes Safe & Found services also provides an important layer of protection in incidents where wandering occurs.
Beyond bracelets, there’s a world of other options for medical ID. The list of options for medical IDs for Alzheimer’s continues to expand as technology advances. Whereas traditional IDs are wearable jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces, there are clever alternatives such as Smart IDs, shoe tags, stickers and more.
MedicAlert’s Smart Medical ID Card is credit card-sized and easily carried with you in a wallet or pocket, or slipped into the pocket of a loved one if you’re worried they may wander. MedicAlert ICE Tags come in a set of four durable vinyl stickers that adhere securely to any hard surface – think cellphone cases, mobility aids – typical objects that travel with you.
The portability and scope of personal medical information they provide make Smart IDs a great alternative (or addition) to traditional jewelry and wearable IDs. They’re useful in emergency situations, but also for doctor visits, home healthcare providers, or for access by other caregivers. Because they are digitally linked to your MedicAlert full profile, your information is automatically updated with any changes to your profile.
These types of medical IDs for Alzheimer’s can be perfect for individuals for whom any wearable ID is not a good option, such as seniors with strength limitations or cognitive issues. MedicAlert Shoe Tags are engravable and available in two different designs for easy and secure attachment to lace-up, other types of shoes, or can be slipped into a pocket for an additional layer of protection.
If digital tech is too high-tech for the user, MedicAlert Fillable Wallet Cards are the manual alternative. Personal medical information and MedicAlert ID numbers are written by the owner or caregiver into the foldable card and must be physically updated when information changes. Like Smart ID cards, Fillable Wallet Cards are credit card-sized for portability, but unlike Smart IDs, the information is not digitally linked to a health profile.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a labor of love. It can also be a source of stress when you don’t know what to expect from day to day. One ever-present worry for many Alzheimer’s caregivers is the fear that their loved one will wander.
Although no two individuals with Alzheimer’s face the same challenges, 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander from safety at some point. They may wander for many reasons, such as stress, agitation, the desire to look for something, or simply to take a walk or find a bathroom.
While wandering can be safe in a controlled setting, it puts those with Alzheimer’s at risk of becoming lost, confused, or even physically injured by harsh weather, dangerous terrain, or traffic. When they do reach a safe location, those who wander may be unable to communicate their name or address.
To lessen the risk of unsafe wandering, caregivers can take preventative measures such as putting in deadbolt locks that are out of the line of sight, installing warning bells, or removing access to car keys. It’s also important to identify the time of day when your loved one is most likely to wander. For many with Alzheimer’s, it’s around dusk or during the “sundowning” period.
Most importantly – make sure your loved one is wearing a MedicAlert medical ID for Alzheimer’s and has an active protection plan so that Safe and Found support services can be activated if necessary. Every year, MedicAlert fields thousands of wandering calls and works with law enforcement and families to help speed a safe return home.
Navigating the challenge of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. At times, caregivers may feel as though they need support, but aren’t sure where to start. The Alzheimer’s Association, our dedicated partner, understands these concerns and offers support and a variety of resources to guide the caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s. MedicAlert is proud to to help protect those living with dementia, and provide peace of mind for their families.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s is available for round-the-clock clinical, emotional, and financial support from masters-level clinicians. The helpline offers complete confidentiality, bilingual staff members, and translation services in more than 200 languages.
The Alzheimer’s Association also has a that offers resources about Alzheimer’s caregiving, such as:
