GREATER VICTORIA — The Home Instead Senior Care Network has launched a free tool known as the Missing Senior Network.
It’s designed to help families both in Victoria and on the Saanich Peninsula find missing seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Founded in 1994, the Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education, all towards going to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families.
The service is available at missingseniornetwork.ca, and will help enable family caregivers to alert a network of friends, family and businesses to be on the look out for a missing senior.
This alert is done via text or email, but families can also choose the option of posting an alert to the Home Instead Remember for Alzheimer’s Facebook Page, a page connected to 270,000 followers.
“These frightening occurrences lead families to call our office and ask for help,” said Alistair Hicks of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Victoria.
“This resource was created to help Victoria families understand the risk of wandering and have a tool that empowers them to quickly take action if a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia wanders.”
There are some common triggers family caregivers should be aware of that could cause someone with Alzheimer’s, another form of dementia, to wander.
Those include delusions or hallucinations, overstimulation, fatigue, especially during late afternoons and evenings, disorientation to place and time and a change in routine.
“We understand the topic of wandering is something many families coping with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia may avoid discussing,” said Hicks.
“It’s important for families to understand the potential triggers for wandering and have a plan in place to help keep their loved ones safe.”
For additional tips visit prevent wandering.ca or contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office. Visit homeinstead.ca/ for more information.
— Submitted by Home Instead Senior Care Network