|
Wandering and Elopement
Local Programs In the City of Ocala it's called the "Assisted Memory Impaired Program" and is part of the Police Departments Victim Wittiness Department. Victim Advocate Crystal Blanton 369-7134 and Donna Guinn 369-7139 are partners in this work. Call either one of them, set an appointment at the police station on South Pine, allow them to take an identification picture, provide them with the requested information and in just a few minutes a profile will be created and entered in the database. You will be provided a free identification bracelet. In the county, it's called the “Extra Special Person (ESP) Memory Impaired Program” and is managed by the Sheriffs Crisis Intervention Specialist Unit. Access this program by calling (352) 732-8181 or 352-732-9111. Upon your request one of the specialist like William Pinder 369-6745 will arrive at the persons residence. Allow them to take an identification picture, provide then the requested information and in just a few minutes a profile will be created. You will be provided a free identification bracelet.
The information requested is:
The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) defines wandering as “ meandering, aimless, or repetitive locomotion that exposes the individual to harm; frequently incongruent with boundaries, limits, or obstacles.” 4 A common behavioral problem, wandering involves cognitive impairment that includes difficulty with abstract thinking, language, judgment, and spatial skills. 5 Wandering is also associated with disorientation and difficulty relating to the environment, and low social interaction, excessive pacing or increased motor activity. The person who wanders may also unknowingly trespass in another person’s nursing home room and an altercation may result. There are two types of wandering: goal-directed and non-goal directed. In goal-directed wandering, the person appears to be searching for someone or something. The person may also be looking for something to do and may make gestures as if performing a task. In contrast, in non-goal directed wandering, the person may wander aimlessly, and has a very short attention span. 6 A person who wanders is at risk for elopement, the act of leaving a safe area unsupervised and unnoticed and entering into harm’s way.7 Those who elope can be differentiated form those that only wander by their purposeful, overt, and usually repeated attempt to leave the building or premises. The person may go outside and experience hypothermia or other harmful conditions, including a traffic accident. Stairs are particular hazards, particularly for the eloping person who has poor balance, decreased strength, or poor vision.8 Devices Three devices of many. No recommendations. Hopefully these will spur you into investigating helpful devices. EmFinders EmSeeQ™ Now Available to Locate Wandering Individuals in Emergency Situations Nationwide EmFinders provides a secure band that is worn 24/7. If a person becomes lost, the registered caregiver calls local law enforcement to file a missing person’s report and then calls EmFinders to request remote device activation. Once activated, The band dials 911, provides a message on behalf of the person, and is responded to in the same manner as any other 911 call involving a person in need of emergency assistance.
No customized software or additional equipment required
Lok8u
A person wears a device that doubles as a wrist watch that comes in an assortment of different colors.
Caregivers can track their person online or by sending a text message.
![]()
Many people who are also looking for innovative ways to let their loved ones stay in their own homes as long as possible, such as using GPS shoes to track the location of Alzheimer's and dementia patients who tend to wander off. The technology provides real time information about their location. |
|