I Need Your Expertise

[Tattoo2]

I have been visiting Braintalk for seven years now, but I am usually on another forum. This time I need to talk to you. I am a RN working on my degree and should graduate in May hopefully. One of my final courses is Community Nursing, and I am doing the clinical part of it at a local Adult Day Center. Most clients there have some degree of dementia, and many have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. How you can help me is this. While there, I am to do a project and really feel that Nutrition and exercise, especially strengthening exercises are very helpful in maintaining function, but the director where I am insists that I do my project on devices that can be used to help signal when a patient with Alzheimer's is walking around etc. I am not aware is specific devices but thought you may be. If you do know of ways that have been helpful when taking care of a loved one or client with dementia that helps you be aware of their whereabouts while you do the things you have to do such as taking a shower etc, I would appreciate your input. This director suggested bells around the neck which seems rather archaic. It also would be helpful to know other websites where I may find this information re devices and helpful hints. Thank you very much for your help. Tattoo

[Tootsie]

There may be all kinds of electronic devices and things for sale that would alert caregivers about the movement of Alzheimer's patients. However, as far as care is concerned, simplest is usually best. Electronic devices need battereies, cost money and may malfunction.

Bells on the shoes, a musical chime device when a door is opened, any kind of device that involves 3 separate and distinct functions, would be useful. Alzheimer's patients cannot remember how to use any 3 step process. My mother never wandered so this was not as issue for me.

Making a video that can be watched by the patient will frequently hold their interest if it is visually familiar faces, and narrated by the caregiver. This also works if the main caregiver must be away for a few days.

[Tattoo2]

Thanks so much. This does help a lot. I hadn't thought about bells on shoes, but heck, I used to wear those as a kid. Added to that, maybe using the same device used to let parents hear their baby during the night would be helpful, but you are right that this gets expensive, and they can malfunction. Tattoo

[Tootsie]

Tattoo,

One of the most efficient and useful things I did when I moved my mother from her apartment in another part of the country, to my home, was to keep ALL her information in one place, and WITH me.

I purchased a small, spiral notebook and stapled her Medicare card and Railroad retirement ID on the firm inside cover. Social Security card went on the back cover. I listed the names, addresses, zip codes and phone numbers of her doctors, their office hours and when was the best time to call. (Always avoid Monday mornings, if you can.) Current drugs, dosages, date of first prescription, any bad reactions to drugs, etc were a few pages further on. Her bank, address, numbers of accounts, CD's and when they matured, etc. were also listed. You never know when you will need this information, and having it all at your finger tips, limited the amount of hassle, call backs, delays, etc.

Friends, addresses, phone numbers, any pertinent information about them to jog my memory, were in the middle of the notebook, (church friend, neighbor, someone she worked with, etc.) I wrote them brief notes saying how she was doing, when she mentioned them, etc. THEY would write back to her with cards and notes. My mother would carry these around in her pockets, take them out to look at and pretend to read. They were a great comfort and joy to her.

I added information and updated all the information when necessary. I carried this notebook in my purse so I could make calls and deal with phone calls from various providers efficiently and promptly.

My mother never wandered, but if she did, I would have had her picture and information posted in the local police and fire stations, along with the neighbors in my immediate vicinity. Names in shoes and clothing is also something that is fairly easy to do.

Many caregiviers waste precious time and energy, trying to keep their loved one, neat, clean and in style. Reasonably clean and simple clothing works best. My mother frequently wore 2 or 3 slips, or had her nightgown under her clothing. It doesn't matter unless it makes them too warm. One day she had 3 pairs of hose on. The home based day care, where she went while I was at work, managed to convince her it was a warm day, and all those weren't necessary.

If you have any more questions, let me know. Cheerio.

[Tattoo2]

You betcha! I sure will post my questions. This is such wonderful information for care givers, especially those that are new at it. I was looking at shoes today on the patients and know that those with velcro are used a lot. No laces to attach the bells, but some have a metal piece that the velcro strap is attached to. Others don't have a place to attach bells. I guess that family will have to shop for those that will have a place to attach bells. Thanks for this, and I will keep you posted. Tattoo

[Tattoo2]

Hello again, Thanks for all your help. I compiled your suggestions into a small pamphlet. Donno what the director thought, but it did help me accomplish the goals I was there to do as a student. Also, my instructor thought it was clever. They were great ideas, and I will definitely remember to use them with my patients and also with family members if needed. I graduated in mid May. Thanks. Tattoo