Wandering And Missing Senior Citizens Why Does This Happen And What To Do Then

Wandering And Missing Senior Citizens: Why Does This Happen

And What To Do Then?

By Sailesh Mishra

Founder President , Silver Inning Foundation

Hon. Sec. ARDSI Greater Mumbai

At HELP Library , Mumbai

Monday 6th February 2012

http://missingseniorcitizenalert.blogspot.in/

www.silverinnings.com

www.silverinningfoundation.org Silver Inning Foundation


http://www.silverinnings.com/

http://www.silverinningfoundation.org/

Case Study 1 (names in case studies are not real , but all are true

story)

• An elderly couple(with one of them suffering for Alzheimer's Diseases ( AD ) - memory loss ) went for stroll at a big Park .One of them went to wash room & was shocked not to find her Husband suffering from AD . She went around to search & was in panic . Luckily she found our volunteers busy with event & narrated the event. We first made her calm down & immediately sprung into action. We sent 2 volunteers at Entry & Exit gates and informed the gate keeper. And then few of us went around the large park looking for Missing Elderly . After 15 minutes we were lucky to find him in Gents washroom with no pants as he was struggling to unzip his pants after relieving himself . He could not remember how to unzip . With help of volunteers we helped him clean himself & wear his pants . This was really first hand experience for many of us.

Silver Inning Foundation

Case Study 2

• Ramkumar age 79 yrs , every morning goes to Temple . On 23rd Jan 2012 , he went for usual visit to local Temple but did not Return


Case Study 3

• Aslambhai , Age 89yrs just walked away from home 2nd Feb afternoon . Family did all possible things to search – Advt in Newspaper , Missing Sr.Ctz. Alert Blog , Social Media.

• Police saw him lost ,sent him to Panvel Old Age Home.

• Someone saw newspaper Advt , Informed Family . FOUND on 5th Feb


Case Study 4

• Kishore Joshi , Age 72yrs . One month ago came to Mumbai From Village in Uttranchal to visit his family .

• Lost one day while going to market


Case Study 5

• Ram Kadam , Age 59yrs , Retired as Mechanic from State Transport , was bored sitting at home , was Depressed

• One day just walked away , did not return


Case Study 6

• Janakbhai , Age 82yrs, used to go for walk every night after dinner near his house , one night he went for his usual stroll but did not come back


Case Study 7

• Jignesh Dave , Age 81yrs , used to work as Motor Mechanic and at this age used to go for work. Family did not stop him doing this . One day went for his usual work , but did not return


Case Study 8

• Devendra Dube , Age 79 , was travelling with his wife from Darbhanga to Bangalore to visit his son

• Got down at one remote station , Did not return

• Family lodge Police Compliant and posted to Social Media and Missing Sr.Ctz. Alert

• He was found after 12 days at Mangalore Station


So what is common• They all are Aged – 60yrs and above• Most of them suffered from ‘Memory Loss’ :

Dementia / Alzheimer's • Family members were not aware of the disease or

did not took enough precaution• Almost all lodge compliant with Police and

posted on Blog / Social Media, Searched • Most got lost while doing usual routine work /

Wandered • Did not had ID card , family did not had photo etc• Very few , can say 10% only found


What is Dementia / Alzheimer’s • Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction (in

Latin 'dementia' means irrationality), which results in a restriction of daily activities and in most cases leads to forgetfulness and long term need for care. There are many forms of dementia, the most common one being Alzheimer's disease.

• The symptoms can broadly include difficulties with language, significant short-term memory loss, time disorientation, difficulty in making decisions, showing signs of depression and aggression and lack of initiative and motivation.

• Its Progressive Non Curable Brain Disease and its not Normal Ageing . 3% of Elders suffer in India


Why is Wandering• Wandering, in persons with Dementia , is a common behavior that can

cause great risk for the person, and is often the major priority (and concern) for caregivers. It is estimated to be the most common form disruption from people with dementia within institutions. Although it occurs in several types of dementia, wandering is especially common in persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This can be due to forgetfulness, and also to a frequent need for stimulation.

• 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease / around 70% Dementia will wander , that means that there are some who will not Also, as dementia progresses, the deteriorating health of the patient may make it impossible for the person to wander.

• 18% of those with mild dementia wander• 50% of those with severe dementia wander• Wandering is considered as EMERGENCY• Wandering happens on foot, by car or via other forms of

transportationSilver Inning Foundation

…………..Why is Wandering

• "To move about without a definite destination or purpose." People with dementia who wander often have a purpose or goal in mind. They may be searching for something that is lost or trying to fulfill a former job responsibility.

• A Study says People with Dementia when they get lost:

1. They will not cry out for help or respond to shouts

2. They will not leave many physical clues

3. Language Problem : They might to speak properly

4. They might not be comprehensive

5. They may attempt to travel to a former residence or wander to a favorite location


Who's at risk? • Everyone is at risk for wandering. However, a person may be at risk for

wandering if he or she:

• Returns from a regular walk or drive later than usual

• Tries to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work

• Tries or wants to "go home" even when at home

• Is restless, paces or makes repetitive movements

• Has difficulty locating familiar places like the bathroom, bedroom or dining room

• Checks the whereabouts of familiar people

• Acts as if doing a hobby or chore, but nothing gets done (moves around pots and dirt without actually planting anything)

• Appears lost in a new or changed environment


Causes • Wandering can be caused by several factors, including:• Disorientation about time and place• Medication side effects • Stress • Restlessness • Agitation • Anxiety • The need to go somewhere to meet someone or avoid someone, • Need to resolve pain or physical discomfort, • Need to use the bathroom, • Inability to recognize familiar people, places and objects • Fear arising from the misinterpretation of sights and sounds • Desire to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work or looking

after a child


Tips to reduce wandering • Encourage movement and exercise to reduce anxiety,

agitation and restlessness • Ensure all basic needs are met (toileting, nutrition, thirst) • Involve the person in daily activities, such as folding laundry

or preparing dinner • Place color-matching cloth over doorknobs to camouflage • Redirect pacing or restless behavior / Distract • Place a mirror near doorways. The reflection of a person's

own face will often stop him or her from exiting the door. • Reassure the person if he or she feels lost, abandoned or

disoriented• 24 x 7 care / monitoring


What to do if Missing• DON’T PANIC

• Take recent Photo of Missing person , details like Height , Dress , Identification mark , medical reports etc

• Go to Local Police Station and Lodge Missing Compliant , take the complaint copy

• Then go to ‘ Missing Person Bureau ‘ with Police details , file complaint gain with them

• Contact Local GOVT TV channel / Local Cable TV with Police help

• Inform all neighbors , friends and family

• Contact Missing Person Senior Citizens Alert Blog and post on Social Media – Facebook etc

• Give Advt in Local Newspaper

•


Tips for searching for a missing person with dementia • Look within a one kilometer radius of where the was before they wandered.• Check dangerous areas first near the home, ponds/lakes/wells, forested areas, tunnels,

bus stops, Railway Stations, terrace of buildings and water tanks, and roads with high traffic.

• Look within a hundred feet of a road, as most wanderers start out on roads and remain close by. Check bushes, ditches and nullahs carefully as the person may have fallen or become trapped.

• Search in the direction of the wanderer’s dominant hand. People usually travel first in their dominant direction. (ie. right handed person would turn right – usually)

• Investigate familiar places, such as former residences or favorite spots. Often, wandering has a particular destination.

• Nick names • Multiple Search at his Village , Temple , Mosque , Church , Eating place , Old Age

Homes , Municipal Hospitals • Prior residences or workplaces• If you suspect that the person used a car or public transportation, you’ll need to consider

likely places that are farther afield.• Contact as many people as you can to enlist their help in searching and locating the

missing person soonest. If the missing person remains stuck in a place they are unable to get out of, they may get dehydrated or hypothermia.

• Remember dementia person may not call out for help or respond to your call Silver Inning Foundation

When you see someone Missing / Lost

Take it slow

Ask simple questions

Limit reality checks

Keep eye contact

Look for Clue when talking to them ( TALK SLOW) : post office , religious place , language , village name , petname .

Inform local police , Call HelplineSilver Inning Foundation

Prevention • Look for any memory loss – go Psychiatrist / Neurologist / Memory clinic –

do routine chk up • Check for change in personality / dressing / activity of daily living• Give them ID card / Tag Cloths / Telephone dairy• Take recent pictures • GPRS Device – watch / bracelet etc • 24 x 7 monitoring / care • Don’t leave them alone anytime , when out - it is good to have 2 people • Share Responsibly in family• Take help of paid caregiver / maid • Inform neighbors and security in building about disease – no hushhh• Install Security system in house / Lock door properly from inside : after

paperwala / milkwala etc come – go • Small things like – have bell / thali near door – so you know someone

comes – goes Silver Inning Foundation

Missing Senior Citizens Alert Blog / Face Book Group • This is blog is created by Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO that works with

Senior Citizens to help find missing Senior Citizens in India and around Globe.

This service is FREE OF COST ( for Online Posting ONLY) for helping to find missing Elders. We will use Social Media tools and if possible ground work and help of Senior Citizens Associations, NGO's , Government , Media and Police/Law agency.

• http://missingseniorcitizenalert.blogspot.in/ : Nov 25th 2011

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/missingseniorcitizenalert/ Dec 2011



https://www.facebook.com/groups/missingseniorcitizenalert/

National Silver Alert Prog , USA

• Modeled after the Amber Alert, the Silver Alert is an emergency system in which law enforcement can broadcast regional or statewide alerts for missing seniors and/or other adults with Alzheimer's or other cognitive disorders.

• A growing number of states are enacting laws that call for the development of the Silver Alert program and some have implemented their own notification systems.

• Activation criteria varies from state to state, see list below for information on the Silver Alert program in your state.

• Is a FREE, national, online registration program.

• Can speak for you when you cannot.

• Is open to ALL Senior Citizens and individuals with Alzheimer's, Autism, Down's Syndrome, brain injuries and other cognitive disorders, regardless of age.

• Provides a safe and secure place to store vital personal, medical, health and caregiver information which will be easily accessible in the event of an emergency.


http://www.amberalert.gov/

Medical Alert + Safety Return Prog

• If an individual with Alzheimer's or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost, caregivers can call the emergency response line (1.800.625.3780) to report it. A community support network will be activated, including local Association chapters and law enforcement agencies, to help reunite the family member or caregiver with the person who wandered.

• If a citizen or emergency personnel finds the member, they can call the toll-free number listed on the member's ID jewelry. MedicAlert + Safe Return will notify the member's listed contacts, making sure the person is returned home.


http://www.alz.org/safetycenter/we_can_help_safety_medic_jewelry.asp

Indian Products • VESAG watch: This works as a portable wireless hub, this

can be worn as a watch or pendant, it has built in GPS to track the location, Medicine/Task reminders can be set wireless from web portal. It auto detects fall and alerts the call center so that immediate help can be provided. http://www.vesag.com/Watch.html

• Vighnaharta Security is the only company in India which proudly claim to provide security solutions to Senior Citizens : http://vighnaharta.in/solu_senior_citi.htm


http://www.vesag.com/Watch.html

http://vighnaharta.in/solu_senior_citi.htm

MISSING SENIOR CITIZENS Alert Blog : Information Form• Name:

• Age:

• Height:

• Gender:

• Look / Body Structure

• Identification Mark:

• Dress:

• Footwear:

• Language known:

• Suspected to be suffering from Memory Loss (Dementia / Alzheimer’s) ?

• Any Disease / Illness:

• Missing Since:

• Brief about the person (skill , work experience, personality , any clue etc ) :

• Missing compliant lodge at and when:

• Lost from

• Last Seen:

• Originally from:

• Current Residence:

• Previous Residence:

• Relatives at:

• If found please contact:

• Postal Address: , Cell: , Residence Tel No. : , Email:

• Fill this form & send this with recent Passport size Photo & Police compliant scan copy to: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Important Resource/ Reference• http://youtu.be/zD8PEyZZbhI : Dementia Care Notes, India• Wandering and approaches to it also discussed here:

http://dementia-care-notes.in/caregivers/toolkit/special-tips-wandering-incontinence-repetitive-sundowning/

• Alzheimer's Associations Safety Return : http://www.alz.org/safetycenter/we_can_help_safety_medicalert_safereturn.asp

• Silver Alert :http://nationalsilveralert.org/index.htm • Geriatrician Ritabelle Fernandes• Missing Senior Citizens Alert Blog:

http://missingseniorcitizenalert.blogspot.in/ • NCRB : http://ncrb.nic.in/missing.htm • Maharashtra Police Missing Bureau :

http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/missing.jsp • Delhi Police Missing Bureau: • http://zipnet.in/index.php?

page=missing_person_search&criteria=zoom&state=008&state_name=DELHI


http://youtu.be/zD8PEyZZbhI



Your Support / Helpline in Mumbai• Mumbai Police Elder Line: 1090 / 103 (24 x 7)• NGO Senior Citizens Helpline : 1298 ( 24 x 7)• Helpage India : National Helpline: 18001801253• Dignity Foundation: 6138 1100 / 6138 1198• Shree Manav Seva Sangh: 24081487• Silver Inning Foundation: 9987104233 Email:

[email protected] • ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter Group: 9987104233 • Holy Family , Silver Innings & ARDSI Greater Mumbai• Dementia Support Group: 9029000091 / 9987104233 • ARDSI - Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of

India :022-23742479/ 9820074476• Nearest Memory Clinic • Nearest Neurologist or PsychiatristSilver Inning Foundation

Thanks Lets together we all join hands and try to

Find someone's missing Grandparents, Parent, Elders ......

Its


Presentation

www.silverinningfoundation.org

Email: [email protected] Silver Inning Foundation

Wandering And Missing Senior Citizens Why Does This Happen And What To Do Then

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