Silver Alert for the elderly, more specifically those wandering because of dementia or Alzheimer’s, is similar to the Amber Alert for youngsters.  A number of states have instituted them and more are considering legislation for implementing this law.
Learn more about the National Silver Alert to help find missing seniors and/or other adults with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders.

AlzheimersNotes.com
As I continue the examples of sundowning, I think of Mother’s roommate at the nursing home.  She often became agitated in late afternoon.
“I must get home.  I must get home,” Miss Marie said when she stopped me in the hall.  “Please take me there.  I must get home before the children come from school.”
So I walked with her down the hallway to Mother’s and her room.  “Thank you.  Thank you,” she said, as she sat in her rocking chair by the window.  “Now I can see the children getting off the bus.”
There were no children; they were now grown with children …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
SUNDOWNING
Sundowning refers to the agitation and wandering that occurs with Alzheimer’s patients in late afternoon, about the time the sun goes down. For some reason that researchers don’t completely understand, Alzheimer’s patients frequently tend to become agitated about this time of day.
Some have a greater tendency to wander in late afternoon, too.  So they have to be watched more carefully at these times for their safety.
Have you experienced sundowning with your Alzheimer’s patient?
(Here’s an abstract about sundowning from the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 9/22/07.)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

AlzheimersNotes.com

I think one of the most discouraging situations for Alzheimer’s patients, and possibly for family, too, is the “You can’t drive anymore scenario.”  This often creates a big hassle.
Even without someone having Alzheimer’s, there often comes a time when their reflexes aren’t so good,  their eyesight may be failing, stiff or arthritic joints keep them from moving swiftly, and their hearing may not be acute.  For someone who is accustomed to driving, loss of independence ,when they are no longer able, can be a shattering experience.
However, at some time, driving must be curtailed…before they injure themselves or someone else. 
*With my …read more

I wrote in June about the silver alert system for people with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Here’s Congressman Tom Latham, one of the original co-sponsor of legislation known as the Silver Alert Grant Program Act. Congressman Latham is no stranger to the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease as his own father suffered from it.

I just finished reading a wonderful little book called High Heels to Hormones (A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care) by Christina Lasich, M.D.  Short and easy to read with plenty of cartoons to get the points across, I’d recommend it to any woman who suffers from back pain, and especially to anyone who is the role of caregiver.
Caregivers, after all, are at great risk of back injury and would find this book useful for learning more about how to prevent and manage back pain.
Christine has been kind enough to write a guest post for Alzheimer’s Notes looking at ‘Three Tips for Avoidng …read more

Second Wind Dreams, a national non-profit organization with a mission to change the perception of aging, one dream at a time, has a Virtual Dementia tour kit. It’s a training tool that provides people with the opportunity to experience how it might feel to have dementia.

Sounds like something everyone who works with dementia patients should experience…

Interesting video about the rational and training of the Okada Alzheimer’s Assistance Dogs…

Okada has been training dogs since 1986 to help the disabled to participate as active members of society.

It’s like an Amber alert but for Seniors and it’s working presently in eight states – Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucy, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.
When issued, it makes everyone aware that someone with Alzheimer’s Disease is missing and accelerates the process of engaging the community in the search and rescue of the vulnerable person. Immediate action includes using public broadcast systems, state transportation department automated road signs and a emergency call-line.
Sounds like a program that should be in all 50 states…
(source)

AlzheimersNotes.com
 Caring for Alzheimer’s patients often involves lifting, holding someone who can’t walk well, moving someone.  Much of this activity often results in back injuries.
Carol Bradley Bursack has an informative article, Caregiver Injuries: Avoid Them, at her Minding Our Elders site. 
Caregivers often need to learn how to lift and do many other things for those they care for. Sometimes, we can do it alone, sometimes we can’t.
She also refers to an article by Denise Clark, Preventing Injuries Among Caregivers.
I was fortunate that I didn’t experience injuries when caring for Mother and Auntie.  But there were instances when this might have …read more