PLATTSBURGH — According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, people with Alzheimer’s disease are 6% more likely to die on an extremely hot day.
While Project Lifesaver is often associated with winter weather, the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative (ADCSI) encourages the public to consider the program’s benefits during the warmer months.
Project Lifesaver is a search and rescue program where a person with Alzheimer’s wears a device that transmits a signal, helping lead to a speedy recovery should they wander. Because the Alzheimer’s Association estimates 60% of people with Alzheimer’s disease will wander at least once, caregivers are encouraged to register proactively, before a loved one ever goes missing.
“It’s important to take precautionary steps and not wait until your loved one wanders and it’s too late. While high temperatures impact everyone, people with Alzheimer’s Disease are even more susceptible to increased confusion, exhaustion and breathing difficulties,” Valarie Drown, MS, NCC, LMHC, project director, Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative, said.
“By creating a plan and enrolling with Project Lifesaver, you can ensure your loved one gets home safely and quickly.”
“Project Lifesaver has proven to be an important tool in our search and rescue efforts. Our department has responded to several instances where someone with dementia enrolled in Project Lifesaver has wandered and each time, we were able to locate the person in less than 30 minutes. I know I speak for other first responders when I say Project Lifesaver truly saves lives,” Sgt. Andrew Bertrand, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said.
Caregivers are also encouraged to pay attention to weather forecasts and prepare ahead of expected high temperatures and humidity. It is important to dress your loved one in cool, light clothing and make sure they are properly hydrated. If possible, stay indoors and utilize a fan if necessary. You should also remove any emotional triggers that could increase the probability of behavioral changes such as confusion and irritability.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative provides free supportive services throughout Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties. Those interested in finding out more about Project Lifesaver should visit the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative’s website or call 1-800-388-0199.
About Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative:
Also known as We Help Caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative provides free support services to those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders in northern New York, across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties. The Initiative’s goal is to reduce caregivers’ financial, emotional and physical distress, and improve caregiver overall health and quality of life, while also reducing the number of care receiver emergency visits and institutional placements. Operated by The Center for Neurobehavioral Health, it is an affiliated program of the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh and is supported by the SUNY Research Foundation. WeHelpCaregivers.com