The death of an 80-year-old Alzheimer’s patient after being hit by a vehicle in Deltona last week draws attention to the critical problem in circulation.

The woman was walking in the travel lanes in the 1400 block of Deltona Boulevard on Oct. 23 around 7:10 p.m. About 10 minutes later, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting her missing.

Jennifer Braisted, director of government affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association of Florida, says six in 10 people living with the disease will leave at some point.

Maybe they are nervous in a social situation. Maybe they think they have to go to work or they think they have to go back home without knowing where they are.

Unfortunately, wandering poses a risk for anyone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, Braisted said.

“So it’s really important to understand who is at risk, who is at higher risk, what are the signs that your loved one living with dementia is at risk of wandering, how can you reduce that risk,” she said. and then if a situation arises you know what to do.”

Alzheimer’s Association’s answers to these questions are here: alz.org/wandering. Records from local sheriff’s offices and wearable tracking devices can also be helpful. Some departments have programs that provide tracking devices.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, current technology includes GPS devices, Network Assisted GPS, Radio Frequency Identification (or RFID), and online applications. each has advantages and limitations.

Quotes from the National Institute on Aging A study conducted in 2011 following reports circulating that a significant percentage of missing people with dementia were found dead the next day.

Dangers “include injuries, dehydration, exposure to harsh weather conditions, medical complications, drowning or being hit by a car,” the NIA reported.

The agency offers these tips to help keep a wandering person safe:

• Make sure the person is carrying some form of identification or wearing a medical bracelet with their name, address, and phone number.
• If you think the person may remove their ID bracelet, tag a name and phone number on their clothing.
• Many GPS systems are available to track one’s location. These can be a good alternative or addition to a medical bracelet.
• Notify neighbors and local police that the Alzheimer’s patient is prone to wandering.
• Keep a current photo or video of the person to assist police in case the person becomes lost.

NIA also recommends these safety precautions for homes where someone with Alzheimer’s lives:

• Keep the doors locked. Consider a keyed deadbolt or add another lock placed above or below the door. If the person can pick the lock, you may need to buy a new latch or lock. Keep the key nearby in case of emergency.
• Post STOP, DO NOT ENTER, or CLOSED signs on doors.
• Install a smart doorbell or alarm that rings when a door opens.
• Secure the garden with a fence and a locked gate.
• Install security devices to limit the number of windows that can be opened.
• Keep shoes, keys, luggage, coats, hats and other signs of departure out of sight.
• Do not leave a person with Alzheimer’s disease who has wandered in the past unattended.

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