Sorry Joan, for the 'oops' of sending before I was done..we..using someone elses notebook computer. Anyway, I am at the point of enrolling my DH in the Medic Alert/Safe Return program. He is very geographically oriented so far, but less so away from home. He has always worn a watch so I'm considering paying the extra start-up to get him a watch. He does fine with the digital. I had him read my analog watch just now. He said "15 after twelve" instead of 15 to one." So now I'm thinking that reading an analog watch might get worse and go away while the digial 'stays.' However, If I get one now then maybe it would be OK. On Tues I intend to call Medic Alert CS and ask if they possibly could get an analog watch and even though it's $139 or so I would get it because I KNOW he would always put it on.
Enrollment is $49 or so and $25/yr after that. They enroll a caregivers for $25, the cost of the ID. It's not on the web site, but Customer Service said you can buy whatever product you prefer to wear. I'm getting a bracelet that looks like my gold watch, but has the symbol. When you 'substitute' it is not really a substitute. You also get the 'original' that comes with it. I'm getting a bracelet for us both to keep in the car. In case of emergency that info would be there. Think I'll wind it around the rearview mirror so it will be there unless the mirror comes off.
I read somewhere, and it may have been on this site, that the caregiver should have one that says "I'm a caregiver for X who has Y".
I asked CS why I should get the 'Safe Return'. With that program they call the caregiver if someone helps my DH and calls their 24/7 number. But if I call 911, they 'Safe Return' folks work with local law enforcement and serve as a liason.
Second part ot this question: Will there be clues or does the LO just 'get lost' one day???? Thanks!
I have not had the situation arise and since my dh can barely walk, don't think it will. But, I have a friend, whose dh is in early stage of AD and after Church on Sunday she told him she was going to take a nap and he said he was going for a drive. He was gone 2 1/2 hours before coming back home.
Libby--We enrolled in Safe Return a few yrs ago before they added the Medic Alert. I think I can answer part of your question. My ID bracelet says on the back that I am a caregiver for someone with memory impairment, gives an 800# to call and an ID# that is in the Safe Return database. If something happens to me and it's reported to them, they have my brother's contact information and will alert him to what's going on. My husband has a necklace from them that says he has a memory impairment, gives the same phone and ID numbers.
We enrolled in Safe Return a few months ago. My husband's bracelet has his first name, ID # and the 800 tel #. It also states that he is memory impaired. Mine has Caregiver for SR his ID #. It also has the same 800 # and my ID #. It took us both a while to get used to wearing the bracelets. He still tries to get it off! It's quite an ingenious closure - think it requires two hands to open.
I have us enrolled in Safe Return. I put a drop of super-glue on the closure. No chance of him getting it off. Did the same to mine. It took a while to get used to.
I wanted to be able to take my bracelet off, so I ordered it a little bigger so it would slip over my hand. The clasp does look hard to do for one person.
i strapped my safe return caregiver bracelet to my wallet which has my ID in it. they would see the chain if they looked at my wallet for id. i also have the SEATBELT ID STRAP which i purchased 2 from rescuefacts.com. it was 7.95eac -they are ingenious little red velcro pouches with the medic ID alert on the front for plain view. it attachs by velcro over the spouses seatbelt. in it, contains a paper and place for photo and all their meds and contact info. emergency personell know to look for it and its across their chest when the seatbelt goes on. i feel SO much better knowing DH in the back seat has it on. it has EVERYTHING of importance in this one little page that goes in to the packet then velcros shut. i highly recommend them for all AD and for even children ..divvi joan you may want to check it out and see if you can get the website on your stuff to sell. they are a necessity in my opinion!