For people with Alzheimer's, a wristband that gets attention
- Original SanLuisObispo.com article: For people with Alzheimer's, a wristband that gets attention
When patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia are hospitalized, they often require extra care and attention because the hospital is a strange and scary place for them.
In an ef fort to make the hospitalizations easier and safer for these patients, a group of local volunteers has created a program to identify and assist the patients.
People with memory loss have a very difficult time in the hospital, said Pam Munson, a nurse and former director of the local Alzheimer's Association.
'From the time (the patients) arrive, it's very difficult because they aren't comfortable,' Munson said. 'And because they aren't uncomfortable, they can be unsafe.'
Munson is part of a group of hospital and ambulance workers and patient advocates that created the health care ID program for the memory impaired. The program aims to identify patients with memory loss at the earliest point possible so they receive the extra attention they need.
The patients receive plastic wristbands either from the ambulance paramedics or emergency room staff. The wristbands say 'cognition' in large, bold lettering and remain on the patients throughout the hospitalization to notify staff that they have special needs, Munson said.
The program starts at home. Family members of someone with memory impairment should fill out a Vial of Life kit that traditionally included medical emergency information and now has memory loss information.
Paramedics are trained to look for these small information boxes, usually hanging on the refrigerator, when responding to emergencies. The paramedics will give the patient a plastic wristband on the way to the hospital.
'Then the minute the person hits the hospital, the staff knows he or she has dementia,' Munson said.
If the patient comes to the hospital emergency rooms, the E. R. staff will give them a bracelet.
Terri Weitkum, a local nurse care manager, came up with the idea after caring for her grandmother, who had Alzheimer's.
After that experience, Weitkum decided that identifying hospital patients suffering memory loss with plastic wristbands would help nurses and doctors track these patients' special needs.
'That's going to give the hospital staff and emergency people a lot more information right up front to know what they need to take care of the patient,' Weitkum said.
About one in eight people older than 65 and one in two people older than 85 has Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In San Luis Obispo County, an estimated 5,000 people have some form of dementia.
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PROJECT LIFESAVER:ANOTHER HELPFUL WRISTBAND Project Lifesaver wristbands help find people who wander from home and don't know how to get back. The Sheriff's Department has equipment to locate the person wearing the band.
They cost $25 a month, with the first and last month's fee and a refundable $100 deposit due at the beginning of service. For those who cannot afford service and equipment, a limited number of charitable waivers are available.
If you know someone who might benefit from Project Lifesaver, call 548-0909 or 877- 548-0909. or visit www.projectlifesaverofslo.org. A brochure will be mailed upon request. To donate to the program, send contributions to the Project Lifesaver Program, Senior Volunteer Services, 660 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo 93401.
FOR MORE INFORMATION The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens is sponsoring training for volunteers interested in helping hospital patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Volunteers help family members and give them a break by advocating for the memory-impaired patient during a hospital stay.
For information about the Healthcare ID, volunteer programs or to get a Vial of Life kit call Teri Weitkum at 466-4435 or e-mail her at clientcare@charter.net.
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