1. Try to include your loved one in some holiday preparations. Give him or her something to do that is within their abilities and that will make them feel useful. Occupying their time will help you get other things done as well.
2. Maintain a sense of familiarity. Go easy on the decorations, and don’t move too much furniture to accommodate trees or other objects. Changing familiar surroundings can lead to confusion, especially for someone with memory or physical challenges. Extra cords, fragile decorations, and piles of gifts can be hazards to those with limited mobility.
3. With all of the holiday hubbub, your loved one could become more confused and agitated. Try to limit the number of guests in your home at one time, and make sure that someone is always aware of the whereabouts of your loved one. If he or she tends to wander, there is a chance that this may happen when everyone thinks someone else is “on watch.”
4. Ask for help! Don’t try to take on all of the burdens of caring for your loved one and preparing for the holidays. Something as simple as asking a neighbor or other relative to stay with your loved one for a few hours while you get some shopping done can make all the difference between a calm and a stressed-out holiday.
5. Visit the newly enhanced Alzheimer’s Channel on caregiver.com to learn from articles such as “Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s” and “Holiday Gift Ideas.”
6. Most importantly, take time for yourself. Spend an hour in a bubble bath, read a book, play in the snow. Do something that you enjoy, and have fun. The holidays are about fun and enjoyment, so make sure that you have some of both.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Project Lifesaver Recognizes Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Bringing Loved Ones Home – November 2009
Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization specializing in training public safety agencies on search and rescue programs to help individuals with cognitive conditions, recognizes November as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
According to the National Institutes of Health as many as 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease - an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during the progression of the disease – many of them, repeatedly. Over a period of years, the disease leads to the loss of cognitive function and a long period of dependency. Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for the disease - the incidence doubles every 5 years after age 65. The number of people age 65 and older in the United States is projected to double to 72 million by 2030, and the incidence of Alzheimer’s is expected to rise significantly as the nation’s population ages and life expectancies lengthen.
To help combat the issue of wandering, Project Lifesaver helps train public safety agencies to conduct search and rescue efforts by using state-of-the-art technology to find missing persons who wander, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These efforts have drastically reduced search times, and they have helped find loved ones quicker and easier with an average search time of 30 minutes or less. Project Lifesaver agencies have rescued over 2,000 cognitively challenged individuals successfully with no serious injuries or deaths reported. In addition to Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Project Lifesaver would also like to recognize National Family Caregivers Month and thank caregivers for all they do for others.
Project Lifesaver Rescues This Month Involving Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
Wayne Township Fire Department, Indiana
A 79-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing on October 31 in Indianapolis. It was unknown how long the man had been missing, but rescue teams detected the clients’ signal and began following it using the search equipment. The man was located approximately 3 blocks away in good condition.
Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey
On November 3, an 85-year old female with Alzheimer’s disease disappeared in the evening. The woman was located 26 minutes following the time Project Lifesaver teams arrived on scene. Using search and rescue equipment, the officers were able to locate the woman quickly and in good condition.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia
On November 8, a 72-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing. Specially trained Project Lifesaver search and rescue teams began searching. The subject was located twelve miles from the point last seen and returned home safely with no injuries.
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing and serious responsibility. This month, Project Lifesaver encourages all organizations, businesses, and individuals to educate themselves on Alzheimer’s disease and discover ways you can help bring awareness and support to your communities. More information can be found at www.projectlifesaver.org
Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization specializing in training public safety agencies on search and rescue programs to help individuals with cognitive conditions, recognizes November as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
According to the National Institutes of Health as many as 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease - an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during the progression of the disease – many of them, repeatedly. Over a period of years, the disease leads to the loss of cognitive function and a long period of dependency. Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for the disease - the incidence doubles every 5 years after age 65. The number of people age 65 and older in the United States is projected to double to 72 million by 2030, and the incidence of Alzheimer’s is expected to rise significantly as the nation’s population ages and life expectancies lengthen.
To help combat the issue of wandering, Project Lifesaver helps train public safety agencies to conduct search and rescue efforts by using state-of-the-art technology to find missing persons who wander, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These efforts have drastically reduced search times, and they have helped find loved ones quicker and easier with an average search time of 30 minutes or less. Project Lifesaver agencies have rescued over 2,000 cognitively challenged individuals successfully with no serious injuries or deaths reported. In addition to Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Project Lifesaver would also like to recognize National Family Caregivers Month and thank caregivers for all they do for others.
Project Lifesaver Rescues This Month Involving Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
Wayne Township Fire Department, Indiana
A 79-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing on October 31 in Indianapolis. It was unknown how long the man had been missing, but rescue teams detected the clients’ signal and began following it using the search equipment. The man was located approximately 3 blocks away in good condition.
Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey
On November 3, an 85-year old female with Alzheimer’s disease disappeared in the evening. The woman was located 26 minutes following the time Project Lifesaver teams arrived on scene. Using search and rescue equipment, the officers were able to locate the woman quickly and in good condition.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia
On November 8, a 72-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing. Specially trained Project Lifesaver search and rescue teams began searching. The subject was located twelve miles from the point last seen and returned home safely with no injuries.
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing and serious responsibility. This month, Project Lifesaver encourages all organizations, businesses, and individuals to educate themselves on Alzheimer’s disease and discover ways you can help bring awareness and support to your communities. More information can be found at www.projectlifesaver.org
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
CEO and Founder of Project Lifesaver International, Gene Saunders, Selected to Receive Two Awards From Local Community
September 21, 2009 - Chesapeake, Va – Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Project Lifesaver International, Gene Saunders, was recently recognized by his community for his non-profit work that helps rescue citizens who are prone to wander due to Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and other cognitive disorders.
Chief Saunders has been selected to receive The Masonic Building Communities Award from the Chesapeake Berkley Lodge – Grand Lodge of Virginia. This program shows appreciation for outstanding community-oriented achievements of non-Masons who reside and work in cities and towns. The award recognizes outstanding men and women who are instrumental in building our communities into a better place for all people to live and work.
Chief Saunders has also been selected to receive The Bank of America’s Local Hero Community Initiative Award. This award acknowledges someone who champions a cause vital to his community, who inspire others to get involved, and who has made a significant impact on individuals, families, and/or communities. He will be recognized at a ceremony in October.
These awards came just days after Project Lifesaver accepted a federal grant to help continue their lifesaving work. The federal funding will assist in education, awareness, equipment, and public policy efforts to help expand across the country – directly helping individuals, living with Alzheimer’s disease, who wander.
Nationwide, over 1,000 law enforcement agencies are members of Project Lifesaver, which boasts an average find-time of 30 minutes, nearly 2,000 successful searches to date, and a 100% success rate. Since the national average for standard search and recovery missions is nine hours, this high program efficacy dramatically cuts taxpayer dollars spent on search and rescue, frees up officers for other assignments, and saves lives.
Chief Saunders has been selected to receive The Masonic Building Communities Award from the Chesapeake Berkley Lodge – Grand Lodge of Virginia. This program shows appreciation for outstanding community-oriented achievements of non-Masons who reside and work in cities and towns. The award recognizes outstanding men and women who are instrumental in building our communities into a better place for all people to live and work.
Chief Saunders has also been selected to receive The Bank of America’s Local Hero Community Initiative Award. This award acknowledges someone who champions a cause vital to his community, who inspire others to get involved, and who has made a significant impact on individuals, families, and/or communities. He will be recognized at a ceremony in October.
These awards came just days after Project Lifesaver accepted a federal grant to help continue their lifesaving work. The federal funding will assist in education, awareness, equipment, and public policy efforts to help expand across the country – directly helping individuals, living with Alzheimer’s disease, who wander.
Nationwide, over 1,000 law enforcement agencies are members of Project Lifesaver, which boasts an average find-time of 30 minutes, nearly 2,000 successful searches to date, and a 100% success rate. Since the national average for standard search and recovery missions is nine hours, this high program efficacy dramatically cuts taxpayer dollars spent on search and rescue, frees up officers for other assignments, and saves lives.
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