For more than a week, police and volunteers searched for missing Schenectady resident Mary Wright, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Tragically, she was found too late. Like so many others with this devastating disease, Mary wandered from home and became lost.
More than 60 percent of those with dementia will wander during the course of the disease; many do so repeatedly.
Anyone who has memory problems and is able to walk is at risk for wandering. A person with Alzheimer's may not remember his or her name or address and can become disoriented, even in familiar places. Most of those who wander are found within a mile of home.
If you are among the thousands here who care for someone with dementia, the Alzheimer's Association Northeastern New York chapter has resources to assist in the monitoring and return of those who wander.
Safety products are a core service. MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® is a nationwide identification program designed to facilitate the safe return of those who wander. Comfort Zone® allows families to remotely monitor the location of a person with dementia while adjusting that person's geographic "comfort zone" as the disease progresses.
My sincere condolences to Mary Wright's family and friends; her story is heartrending but much too familiar. I urge those who care for someone with dementia to seek the services and support of the Alzheimer's Association. Go to www.alz.org/northeasternny for details.
Beth Smith-Boivin
Executive director and CEO, Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York
Albany