NEW YORK, NY — Westchester Residents Invited to Wandering Prevention Program to Help Protect Loved Ones Living with Alzheimer’s Disease
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will be holding a free wandering prevention program to help families learn how to protect and ensure the safety of their loved ones who live with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias, and prevent them from wandering.
The event will take place on Tuesday, December 4th in the Ravazzin Center on Aging (Room 228) at Fordham University’s Westchester Campus, located at 400 Westchester Avenue in West Harrison. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 am, with the workshop running from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease who wanders may be disoriented, unable to remember how to get back home or know how, or who, to call for help. Wandering often stems from the need for purpose or an unmet need, and is often a form of communication. For example, some individuals may leave their residence because they believe they need to go to work, even though they are no longer employed.
“Nothing is more important to the nearly 400,000 New York families affected by Alzheimer’s disease than the safety and well-being of their loved one,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “Wandering is a very real danger for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, but there are steps individuals can take to help prevent wandering and protect the person for whom they are caring. We invite family and professional caregivers to learn about them at this free educational program.”
The program will teach participants how to identify the common causes of wandering, behaviors which may indicate a greater risk, and steps caregivers can take for prevention. Attendees can also learn about Project Lifesaver, a public safety program that utilizes radio technology to protect individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
New York State licensed social workers who attend the program are eligible to receive two continuing education contact hours free of charge.
“The more we can understand our individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, the better equipped we can be in helping them feel safe and secure,” said Molly Fogel, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services.
The workshop is being presented with the generous support of a grant from the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation.
Residents can register by calling AFA at 866-232-8484 or visiting AFA’s website at www.alzfdn.org and clicking on the “events calendar” tab at the top of the page. Registration is free and open to all.