Getting lost....

[Charlie]

Just wondered if anyone had any practical advice.

I'm having a bit of trouble keeping hold of dad when we are out, we link arms, but as soon as we part he has a tendancy to wander off. His attention span is extreemly low now. One minute he is next to me , the next voom dissappears into thin air. A few weeks ago we lost dad in town and he didn't reappear for about 3 hours....very unerving as you can imaging. Somehow, thank goodness he turned up at home about 2 miles away.....the main worry to be honest is crossing roads/traffic etc.

Does anyone have any practical ideas while we are out together. As I say, we link arms most of the time, but I'd like to have a way to quickly find him before he wanders off too far.

Any ideas, thanks
Charlie.....

 

[barraf]

Geting Lost

Dear Charlie

I'm afraid I cannot offer any helpful advice, but I have the same problem with Margaret. The only way I can be sure of her is to keep hold of her hand all the time we are out.

Depending on how aquiesent your dad is you might be able to use one of those linking straps that mothers use with young children, Margaret won't.

If Margaret has to use a pubic toilet I have to wait directly outside for her or she wanders. I once lost her in York for 5 hours during which time she had walked over 5miles crossing a main arterial road in the proccess. Needless to say I had reported it to the police very early. Also lost her in Stranraer for about 1 hour, the police found her again. Both times the public toilets she used had two entrances on different streets which I didn't find out about until later. I now have a radar key for disabled toilets nation wide.

Not much help I'm afraid but you know you are not alone with your problem

Cheers Barraf

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the advice Barraf. As I feared, we are just going to have to be more vigalent on our outings. Just feel that I'm missing something.....will let you know if I think of any tricks.

A small short range tracking device would do the trick but prices are very very steep.

found this info on my cyber travels:

http://www.trackerradio.com/persontracking.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3307471.stm

Seems to be a bit of research in the area of Taracking Devices to Help Wanderers, put alas this is all going to come a bit late for us.....

However, there is new cheaper option to allow you to track people via a mobile which I will investigate.....remember reading about this a while back...unfortunately the person wishing to locate the missing person must have access to a PC - which isn't going to be practical in a supermarket


http://www.findyourchild.net/?source=googlefyc

thanks
Charlie

 

[Sheila]

Dear Charlie, not any advice to stop the wandering, but do make sure your Dad has his identity etc. on him at all times. Love She. XX

 

[connie]

Dear Charlie, no advice to offer to stop Dad wandering, but have you signed him up for a Mediedisc. As previosly mentioned, Lionel wears his feeling very 'cool', but I am assured that contact could be established should he get lost. Keep smiling, Connie

 

[Charlie]

Hi Connie,

Can't find the previous info on the Mediedisc, do you mind me asking how you apply for this or where I can get more information....

thanks
Charlie...

 

[connie]

Getting lost

Hi Charlie. I signed Lionel up with Medic Alert, he has diabeties as well as A.D.

Details: Medic Alert Foundation.
1 Bridge Wharf
156 Caledonian Road
London N1 9UU
Tel: 0207 833 3034
email:membership@medicalert.co.uk
Hope thisis of help.

Keep smiling, Connie

 

[Charlie]

Seems they have a website http://www.medicalert.co.uk/. Didn't realise that they are a registered charity....

thanks a bunch!
Charlie.....

 

[Charlie]

p.s. check this page out!

http://www.medicalert.co.uk/news_2004061601.shtml

"Alzheimer's Society Support Life-Saving Service For Dementia
Charities form partnership to raise awareness of identification system in improving quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families. "

 

[connie]

Hi Charlie, thanks for last posting. Have printed details off to take to our Younger Dementia Group, as several of our menbers had asked for details from Lionels bracelet.

Had no idea they were a registered charity, or their new link with A.S. thanks again, Connie

 

[towncrier]

low-tech and economical

I have pasted name and phone number details inside my partner's glasses case, which he usually carries. Also I bought a pet identity disc at a local market and had it engraved with the necessary information. This is carried on his keyring (although he never needs to use it, I think it gives him a feeling of being in control).

 

[Grannie G]

Also I bought a pet identity disc at a local market and had it engraved with the necessary information. This is carried on his keyring (although he never needs to use it, .

Oh thank you, what a brainwave.

My husband is unreliable about carrying his ID in his wallet, as he plays with the contents and doesn`t always put them back. He won`t hear of wearing any form of ID wristband or pendant, but is neurotic about his keys and always makes sure he has them before he goes out. He would be happy to have a disc on his key ring. It`s the next item on my shopping list.

 

[noelphobic]

Thanks for the advice Barraf. As I feared, we are just going to have to be more vigalent on our outings. Just feel that I'm missing something.....will let you know if I think of any tricks.

A small short range tracking device would do the trick but prices are very very steep.

found this info on my cyber travels:

http://www.trackerradio.com/persontracking.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3307471.stm

Seems to be a bit of research in the area of Taracking Devices to Help Wanderers, put alas this is all going to come a bit late for us.....

However, there is new cheaper option to allow you to track people via a mobile which I will investigate.....remember reading about this a while back...unfortunately the person wishing to locate the missing person must have access to a PC - which isn't going to be practical in a supermarket


http://www.findyourchild.net/?source=googlefyc

thanks
Charlie

have you looked at this thread?

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint/discuss/showthread.php?t=8324

 

[Peaky]

Found this website:
www.child-tracking.co.uk

Seems to be affordable option to GPS. I'm seriously thinking of investing.