The Smyrna
Police Department is implementing an Alzheimer's
Registration Program for residents who have a family member
with this disease.
People with
Alzheimer's can wander from a safe environment at any time,
or any place and become lost (even in familiar settings).
This can become life threatening for that individual.
Wandering can
be caused by several factors, including:
-
Medication
side effects
-
Stress
-
Confusion
related to time
-
Restlessness
-
Agitation
-
Anxiety
-
Inability
to recognize familiar people, places and objects
-
Fear
arising from the misinterpretation of sights and sounds
-
The desire
to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work, or
looking after a child.
|
 |
The purpose of this program is to help
police identify these persons should they wander off from
their place of residence or caretaker.
Anyone wishing to register a loved one who has
Alzheimer's may do so by coming to the Smyrna Police
Department and completing the Alzheimer's Registration Form.
Please bring two (2) different photographs of the individual
to be registered. You may also register nationally through
the Alzheimer's Association by calling 1-888-572-8566, or on
their website at
www.alz.org
Additional information is available at the local
Mid South Chapter at
www.alz.org/altn/ or by calling them at 1-800-272-3900
|
10 Warning signs
1. Memory loss
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative
|
 |
|
If you recognize any of the warning signs in a family
member, don't ignore them. See a doctor for a check up. There
are other conditions, some that are treatable, that could be
causing symptoms. Finding out if it's Alzheimer's is an
important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and
support services. |
An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's
allows a person to:
- Benefit from treatments that may improve symptoms and
help maintain a level of independence and quality of life
longer
- Have more time to plan for the future
- Increase chances of participating in clinical trials
that lead to new treatments
- Participate in decisions about care, transportation,
living options, financial and legal matters
- Develop a relationship with doctors and care partners
- Benefit from care and support services, making it easier
for them and family to manage the disease
|
|
Alzheimer's Association CareSource™
Alz.org's one web resource for everything
you need know about finding and planning car for a person with
Alzheimer's, including locating licensed care facilities in your
area. |
|
|