WANDERER PROGRAMS ARE ASSISTING THOSE WITH ALZHEIMERS, DEMENTIA, AUTISM

Tue, 05/07/2019 - 2:00pm

Sarah Shepherd

CAMDEN/ROCKPORT/ROCKLAND – In April, Camden police responded to a call about an elderly woman who was living alone and had been found dead outside of her home.

Police Chief Randy Gagne confirmed that the woman passed away many hours earlier or possibly the day before police officers were notified.

The woman’s death is an unfortunate reminder that there are many seniors in the Midcoast community who do not have any daily contact with family, friends or neighbors, especially those living in rural areas.

The elderly who need help, especially during medical emergencies, may not receive the immediate attention they need before a situation worsens or even becomes too late.

The Camden Police Department introduced The Good Morning Camden program in 2015 to provide special outreach and attention to the elderly living alone. In 2017, the department expanded the program to include eligible Rockport residents.

It provides outreach to senior citizens, 60 years of age or older, and adults with disabilities who are living alone, by providing a daily morning check-in phone call between 8 and 10 a.m., seven days a week from a representative of the police department, usually Jeff Sukeforth, the program’s coordinator.

Sukeforth said there are plenty of spots available for more to enroll in the Good Morning Camden-Rockport program. Each participant must complete an application form (See attached PDF) that includes information such as medical conditions, medications, primary physician and emergency contact.

Although providing information is voluntary, people are encouraged to include as much as possible to help first responders in an emergency. All information on the application will be kept confidential by the police.

Besides the importance of daily check-ins for the elderly and disabled living alone, there are also others, who at any age, are prone to wander, sometimes from their homes, from conditions such as Alzheimers and Autism.

Many police departments and dispatch communication centers in Maine have implemented Wanderer programs that allow parents, spouses and other family members and friends to provide information to emergency responders in advance, to help them find and communicate with their loved ones, who may wander and get lost in the community.

According to the website of the National Autism Association, nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior and increased risks are associated with the autism severity. Additionally, the Association states that more than one third of children with autism who wonder are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address or phone number.

The Alzheimers Association confirms on their website that anyone who has memory problems and is able to walk is at risk for wandering along with those who are in the early stages of dementia.

In addition to the Good Morning Camden-Rockport program, the Camden Police Department is also accepting applications for its Wanderer program (See attached PDF) for Camden and Rockport residents.

The main parts of the standard application form to participate with any law enforcement agency or dispatch center, include a picture of the individual, a recent photo, physical features, medical information and special “triggers” and “calmers” to help police communicate to a person when they are located.

Knox Regional Communications Center Director Linwood Lothrop said that currently dispatch has approximately 25 wanderer intake forms in their database and the ages range from eight to 80 years with the primary conditions of Alzheimers and Autism.

Lothrop confirmed that any resident of Knox County can contact a law enforcement agency in Knox County including the Rockland Police Department, Thomaston Police Department, Rockport Police Department, Camden Police Department, and Knox County Sheriff's Office, or submit the information directly to the Knox Regional Communications Center in Rockland to be entered into the database.

The form and a recent photo can be sent by email to rcc@knoxcountymaine.gov or my mail to the KRCC, 301 Park Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

Residents of Waldo County also can participate in its Wanderers program by calling Waldo County Regional Communications Center at 338-2040 for more information and an application. The center also has more than 25 participants in its database.

The Alzheimer’s Association states on their website that it is important to plan ahead for those with memory problems.

Local law enforcement and dispatch centers are showing their commitment to help and support people who are at risk, and to provide safe returns for those who wander and need special understanding about their conditions.