Elder Care in Royal Palm Beach FL

Your loved one might wander for a lot of different reasons, but it’s terrifying no matter what. Here are some ideas for keeping your loved one as safe as possible if she’s prone to wandering.

Clear the Decks as Much as Possible

When you have an elderly loved one who is prone to wandering, having as few tripping hazards as possible is essential. Look for any pathways that might pose a hazard and get them cleared. You may also want to clear throw rugs or loose carpeting away, too. Adding night lights or extra light fixtures can help your loved one to be able to see clearly if she does start to wander.

Install Special Locks or Alarms

Door locks or alarms can help to alert you quickly that your loved one is trying to wander outside of the home. Some are tied into your house alarm, if you have one, while other types of alarms can hang from the door knob or install on the door’s frame. A deadbolt can be one of the easiest ways to secure exterior doors, however.

Disguise Exterior Doors and Windows

If locks and alarms don’t seem to be enough to deter your loved one from wandering outside the home, it might be time to start trying to disguise doors and windows. You can hang long drapes over the interior of exterior doors, for example, or you can use solid panels in front of windows that could provide easy egress. Paint or wallpaper can also help to disguise doors.

Keep an Information Card in Your Loved One’s Pocket

In case your elderly loved one does manage to get out and you’re not able to locate her, it’s helpful for her to have some form of identification on her. Some elderly loved ones may not have a wallet or purse with them when they wander off, however, so this might seem difficult.

Put your loved one’s name, address, your name, and your contact information on a card and laminate it. Keep a copy in your loved one’s pocket, just in case.

Invest in a Tracker

Finally, you can invest in a GPS device that your loved one can wear or keep in her pocket. These types of devices can offer on-demand information about your loved one’s whereabouts or some will email you or send you a text message when your loved one leaves a certain boundary.

Talk to your loved one’s elder care providers for other tips to help you keep her safe.

Source
http://www.webmd.com/brain/10-ways-to-prevent-wandering

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Professional Elder Care in Royal Palm Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff at Assisting Hands Home Care at 561­-829­-3080 Today.