Alzheimer’s Notes

Winter Weather Warnings for Alzheimer’s Wanderers

by Mary Emma Allen on December 18th, 2007

This time of year, in the northern part of the United States, presents dangerous conditions for Alzheimer’s patients who wander.  The weather is very unforgiving and most won’t survive if they’re outside very long.

I know first hand and was very fortunate when my mom disappeared one morning in December when the weather, with wind chill was below zero.  I thought she was comfortably in bed, and would only wander around her kitchen and living room if she arose while I slept nearby.

I awoke and found Mother wasn’t in the house.  I looked out the front door into the blowing snow and wind.  I looked out the back door and called.  There was no sight of Mother, nor answering call.

I woke my husband and we both looked throughout the house, then put on our coats and boots.  As I opened the back door, I heard a faint, “Kitty, Kitty.  Here, Kitty.” 

There was Mother making her way up a slope beside the house. She had on a nightgown, slippers, sweather and scarf around her neck.  I rushed her inside.

“What were you doing outdoors?” I asked.

“Looking for Kitty.  I couldn’t find her.”

 ”Kitty’s here,” I replied, pointing to the cat stretched out in the rocking chair.

Then I added, “Mother it’s cold out there.  You could have frozen.”

“I’m not cold,” Mother insisted.  But she did agree to a hot cup of tea.

After she finished, and I had her in dry socks and slippers and a warm robe over her nightgown, she remarked, “I feel warmer now.”

That was when Jim and I decided we must take her to our home in another state.  What would have happened if we hadn’t been there?

Here’s an article with good tips, Act Before a Crisis To Prevent Those With Alzheimer’s Disease from Wandering, by Eric J. Hall in OurAlzheimer’s.com.

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POSTED IN: Care, Caregivers, Personal Caregiving Experiences, Safety