“I am so thankful they helped bring mom home safely," says Joyce. “Money is tight,” says Joyce, “so I’m grateful mom is covered by MedicAlert’s sponsored program.”
Alzheimer's & Caregiving: A wandering story
By 2060, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that 14 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, over six million Americans are affected, with twice as many women developing the condition annually. Among them is Rose, a MedicAlert member since 2018. Being a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and caregiving. Learn how Joyce, Rose’s daughter manages the daily challenges. Read their story.
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About Alzheimers
Learn more about this condition on the medical conditions page.
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Other Conditions
Read about other conditions that our MedicAlert members live with.
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The Life of Joyce and Rose
Meet Joyce, a single mother with her hands full. Besides juggling the everyday responsibilities that come with raising three kids, Joyce is the sole caregiver for her mother Rose, who is living with Alzheimer’s. In the early stages of the disease, Rose experienced only mild symptoms. But it wasn’t long before she would come face-to-face with one of the most unsettling symptoms of Alzheimer’s known as “wandering.”
This became a major source of worry and fear for both Joyce and Rose. Soon, Joyce found herself doing everything she could to ensure that her mother was safe. This created a serious financial strain for this busy mom.
Despite taking measures to prevent Rose from wandering, one night she managed to walk out of her home, not knowing where she was going and why. Before she knew it, Rose was on a dangerous trek that would take her three long miles away from home.
Fortunately, a concerned police officer took notice and approached her to see if she was ok. As someone living with Alzheimer’s, Rose was noticeably confused and unable to provide her name or address. What was also noticeable was Rose’s MedicAlert bracelet, which became the crucial link that brought her back to safety.
That dreadful night Joyce received a call from MedicAlert – she went into a sheer panic. Thankful that the Joyce police officer saw the MedicAlert bracelet on her mother’s wrist and for our service. Joyce was even more thankful for MedicAlert. The officer promptly contacted MedicAlert’s hotline, verifying Rose’s identity. Within moments, MedicAlert connected Joyce on the line with the officer, coordinating the safe return of her mother.
The shock of the situation was palpable. Joyce couldn’t fathom how her mother had managed to walk three miles in the middle of the night – unnoticed, and surprisingly, unscathed. The gravity of the situation hit Joyce hard, and she couldn’t help but wonder about the potential dangers her mom could have faced without MedicAlert.
Rose Returns Home, Safe and Sound
The heartwarming aspect of Joyce and Rose’s story lies in the pivotal role MedicAlert played in reuniting this grandmother of three with her family. Joyce expresses her gratitude, stating that she “can’t imagine what might have happened without MedicAlert. Alzheimer’s and caregiving is exhausting, a resource like MedicAlert is necessary.”
“I am so thankful they helped bring mom home safely,” says Joyce. “Money is tight,” says Joyce, “so I’m grateful mom is covered by MedicAlert’s sponsored program.”
When it comes to living with limited finances, every resource counts. This is why MedicAlert’s sponsored program is a true blessing for people like Joyce and Rose who are struggling to make ends meet while dealing with a challenging medical condition.
This real-life account underscores the invaluable nature of MedicAlert’s services, especially for families facing the many challenges of living with Alzheimer’s.
Beyond medical identification, MedicAlert becomes a life preserver for Joyce, and so many others. It provides peace of mind and ensures the safety of our loved ones when they need it the most.
For Joyce and Rose, the journey continues—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering strength of a daughter’s love for her mom.
Facts About
Wandering
Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias.
In 2022, unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18 billion hours of care valued at $339.5 billion.
