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Sandy: Caregivers can register their loved one or do things to keep them safe:
Safe Return--if the demented patient runs away and is found, the Safe Return registration tells the name, phone, address, etc. of the person and the authorities will notify the caregiver. Alzheimer people tend to run away. One night I found mom sitting on my front porch, suitcase beside her, waiting for "the guys" to come get her and take her home. If I hadn't gotten up to check on her, I'd never had known she was outside. I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she'd wandered off when she got tired of waiting.
Key locks on all outside doors: I had to do this so she couldn't get outside. I hid the key so she didn't know where to find it, not that I was sure she'd know how to use it but one is never sure how much they remember and how much they don't. I deadbolted the doors when I went to bed and hid the key.
Demented people can't tell the difference between night and day. Mom would get up at night, pack her suitcase, and sit in the livingroom waiting. I found her that way many times. I'd tell her it was night time and to sleep, but she didn't understand and insisted someone was coming for her. Just because it's dark doesn't mean the caregiver can cease watching.
I know there are more things to think about but I am brain dead right now. I'll add more later.
Always keep in mind that the demented person is very mobile and gets around fast and well. Their mind is disabled; not their body.
