Elopement in Dementia: Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention

Whether you're caring for a loved one with dementia at home or in a long-term care facility, one nightmare you want to avoid at all costs is the missing person scenario. Suddenly, someone realizes "Joe" hasn't been seen for 15 minutes and then you notice that the side door is open. 

Having worked in the nursing home industry for more than 20 years and devoting much time to developing best practices, I've pulled together a list of risk factors and strategies to implement in order to prevent elopement.

(Related Reading: What Are the Pros and Cons of a Secure Dementia Facility?)

Someone forward you this email? No Sweat! Sign up here to get your own If you're having trouble viewing this email, click here Follow Us What's new in Alzheimer's & Dementia Whether you're caring for a loved one with dementia at home or in a long-term care facility, one nightmare you want to avoid at all costs is the missing person scenario. Suddenly, someone realizes "Joe" hasn't been seen for 15 minutes and then you notice that the side door is open.  Having worked in the nursing home industry for more than 20 years and devoting much time to developing best practices, I've pulled together a list of risk factors and strategies to implement in order to prevent elopement. (Related Reading: What Are the Pros and Cons of a Secure Dementia Facility?) Esther Heerema, MSW Alzheimer's & Dementia Expert Elopement in Dementia: Risks Factors and Prevention   We're not talking about eloping to Las Vegas to get married. Elopement in dementia is a serious safety concern. Know the risks and specific strategies for how to prevent it. READ NOW Elaborative Rehearsal: A Better Way to Memorize   I hate to point this out, but soon enough, school will be back in session. Whether you're an adult-learner who's gone back to school after years off or a parent of a student who's not sure how to study, knowing how to memorize information will make everything much easier. Repeating a sentence over and over in your mind really does not help very much. In fact, you're wasting your time. Here's how to be more effective and efficient in your studying...Read more   READ NOW Tips on Remembering People's Names   Why use people's names? In addition to conveying that the person is important to you, using names can also benefit you socially and professionally. For many people, remembering names is a challenge. Find out why, along with 8 tips that will help you develop this skill... Read more READ NOW Confabulation in Dementia: What Is It and How Should You Respond?   Is there any difference between confabulation and lying? Here's the truth about how to respond to confabulation in dementia... Read more READ NOW Featured Articles • Eggs for Weight Loss: Fact or Fiction? • Be Smart About Your Cheat Meals and Fitness Goals • 7 Awesome Strength Moves For Sculpted Arms • What You Need to Know About CPPD • Busting the 5 Biggest Preemie Myths • The Best Way to Cook Eggs in the Microwave • How to Eat Smart at a Barbeque • What You Need to Know About Lupus Advertisement About Alzheimer's & Dementia  |  Follow Us You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Alzheimer's & Dementia newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2015 About.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.