AFA and NYU Winthrop Hospital Address the Issue of “Wandering”

Congressman Tom Suozzi joined Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President and CEO of The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and NYU Winthrop Geriatrician Dr. Paula Lester as they called upon Congress to pass Kevin and Avonte’s Law, a bill reauthorizing and expanding a federal program which provides funding to help prevent wandering by those with Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), Congressman Thomas Suozzi and officials from the New York State Police joined with geriatric experts from NYU Winthrop Hospital and families of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia to discuss the importance of the federal government passing Kevin and Avonte’s Law. This bill reauthorizes and expands a federal program which provides funding to help prevent wandering.

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President and CEO of The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, says this legislation will provide $10 million in grant funding over the next five years to local law enforcement agencies for special training, and to assist families of those with Alzheimer’s who wander, to secure personal GPS tracking devices. The Senate has already approved the bill, but it must also be passed by the House of Representatives.

“Protecting our society’s most vulnerable is a responsibility we all share,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi (D- Glen Cove) a member of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “We must bring awareness to the millions of Americans suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s while also ensuring that proper funding is in place to address this important issue and provide aid to those most in need. This is an issue that impacts the lives of many families and something that both sides of the aisle should get behind.”

“The issue of wandering is very common and very serious, one families affected by Alzheimer’s disease face every single day. When these individuals wander, they’re often unable to communicate effectively and don’t know how, or who, to call for help. In some cases, they may not even remember their own name,” said Fuschillo. “The feeling of dread and helplessness families feel when a loved one goes missing is unimaginable to those who never dealt with it, and is jarring for those who have. But when communities are empowered to lend a hand, these terrifying situations can have happy endings.”

Fuschillo says, “AFA wants to make sure law enforcement has every available tool to help bring a missing person back safely and reunite them with their family as quickly as possible. Each minute that passes when someone goes missing matters; the longer they are gone, the greater the chances of a tragedy. And that’s where we’re asking for the federal government’s help.”

Dr. Paula Lester a geriatrician at NYU Winthrop says that, “Those with Alzheimer’s who wander lack the executive function to retrace their steps. They may leave home, but may not be able to find their way back.” She warns that a person not found within 24 hours is in grave danger, and that up to half of individuals who wander will suffer serious injury or death.

Andrew Falzon’s 78 year old father Fred wandered off last year. “You cannot imagine the terror that we felt until my father was found. This legislation will make sure that police departments provide their officers with the training needed to address a crisis of this nature, and that the technology that can assist families like mine is made available. This legislation truly is a matter of life and death.”

According to Fuschillo, “Under this legislation, grants provided by the Justice Department to local law enforcement can be used for the development of training and emergency protocols to supply first responders with additional information and resources, and for locative tracking technology programs to assist the families and caregivers of individuals who may wander from safety because of their condition. Grant funding may also be used to establish or enhance notification and communications systems for the recovery of those who have wandered.”

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers the following advice to families whose loved ones may wander:

• Make your home safe: Consider installing chimes or doorbells on doors so someone is alerted if the individual tries to exit (be mindful of how this can impact that person).

• Look for patterns and triggers: A person may wander off in the morning thinking it’s time to go to work or school. Over-stimulation or worry about a friend, family member, or a pet may be a cause. Know their past routines, history and familiar places.

• Carefully plan outings: If your family member has a propensity to wander, be aware of their comfort level going to places, such as those with large groups. Take an extra person along to help if possible. Choose places with family-friendly bathrooms.

• Be prepared: Have extra copies of photographs of your family member to give to first responders. Keep track of the clothes he or she is wearing. Consider registering your loved one for a GPS type tracking device or getting a medical ID bracelet.

• Control access to car keys: A person with dementia may not just wander by foot.

• Supervision: Be aware of what the person is, or is not, able to do independently and comfortably, and plan accordingly.