A medical ID is recommended for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) or simply referred to as Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a serious chronic neurodegenerative disease and is the cause of 60-70% of dementia.
An estimate of 5.5 million people in the US has Alzheimer's disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, someone in the US will develop the disease every 33 seconds. The total number of people with Alzheimer's can reach as much as 16 million by 2050. Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder and is considered an invisible condition. On the outside, symptoms of Alzheimer's are not obvious. In an emergency, this invisible disability may not be readily recognized unless a patient wears an Alzheimer's medical alert bracelet or necklace to alert others of the presence and implications of Alzheimer's.
“Safety plans for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias should include identification jewelry such as an ID bracelet or medical ID bracelet, which can provide succinct information about individuals with dementia if they become lost or injured..” – Alzheimer’s Association
According to Alzheimer's Association, emergency situations, such as tornados, hurricanes, heat waves, fires, and blizzards, can have a significant impact on everyone's safety, but they can be especially upsetting and confusing for individuals with dementia.
In an emergency, Alzheimer's is an invisible medical condition that can be difficult for responders to recognize immediately. Medical IDs can alert others that a person has Alzheimer's, especially if the patient tries to resist help or refuse treatment.
"People with memory problems may wander around a place they don't know well. In case someone with Alzheimer's disease gets lost. Make sure the person wears an ID bracelet or something else that tells others who he or she is." - National Institute on Aging
Engraved information on a medical ID bracelet or necklace for Alzheimer's can be helpful to anyone responding to an emergency. This includes onlookers, paramedics, fire fighters, and law enforcement. In engraving an Alzheimer’s Disease alert ID, make sure that it contains accurate information that is easy to read, even in the most difficult situations like a severe autism meltdown.
"Obtain a medical identification bracelet for the person that includes her name, the words 'memory loss' and an emergency phone number... Make sure it is worn at all times." - BrightFocus Foundation