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Medical Alert IDs for Alzheimers
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
Common Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Memory loss
- Wandering
- Hallucinations
- Loss of energy and spontaneity
- Impaired judgment
- Difficulty with communication and remembering names
- Mood swings
- Delay in reaction times
Medical IDs and Alzheimers in Emergencies
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
What to Put on an Alzheimer's Disease Medical ID
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.
- Wearer’s name – a person with Alzheimer's may have difficulty identifying themselves. Engraving the wearer’s full name can provide responders with a way to address and identify them in an emergency and reunite them with their caregiver.
- Alzheimer's – include information about the wearer’s Alzheimer's and special considerations such as if the wearer is may resist treatment or may have hallucinations.
- Other medical conditions that may or may not be related to Alzheimer's – examples are diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s Disease.
- In case of emergency contacts – a wallet card can also supplement emergency information that is engraved on an ID. An expandable ID card can hold more details such as other people that can be notified in an emergency, the patient’s address, medications, and more.
"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