Keeping loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia safe can be a real challenge. One of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your loved ones with these conditions is purchasing medical ID jewelry for them to wear.
What is medical ID jewelry?
Medical ID jewelry includes bracelets, necklaces, and watches that are engraved with information about the person wearing it, including their name, diagnosis, and an emergency phone number. It can also include other important information, including allergies, medications, and treatment restrictions.
People with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia should
wear a medical ID bracelet with a special safety clasp called a sister hook. This type of clasp is designed to
protect loved ones who may try to remove their bracelet, as the clasp cannot be
easily undone without the assistance of someone else.
Why is wearing medical ID
jewelry essential for those with Alzheimer’s?
While wearing medical ID jewelry is important for anyone
with a medical condition, there are a few reasons that doing so is particularly
important for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
1.
Protects against
the risks of wandering
Six in ten people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia will wander at least once—and many do so repeatedly, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Wandering can be incredibly dangerous, even life-threatening, for those with dementia. A person with this condition often has trouble remembering their name, where they live, and even where they are.
A medical ID bracelet is incredibly useful for such patients, as it guarantees they’ll have critical personal information on them at all times. If a bystander or first responder finds a person who looks lost or distressed, they’ll immediately be able to know about their condition and call the emergency number listed to ensure the person gets home safely.
In the case that a person with dementia wandered off and got injured or became unconscious, a medical ID bracelet can ensure they receive effective and efficient care, and that their loved ones are notified.
2.
Saves time and
unnecessary hospital visits
Without the information provided on a piece of medical ID jewelry, a first responder may initially suspect that a person with Alzheimer’s has another condition, such as head trauma, due to their memory loss and disorientation. Emergency responders can use an Alzheimer’s medical ID bracelet to quickly recognize that the person has dementia and ideally avoid lengthy evaluations and unnecessary hospital visits.
3.
Helps ease the
minds of family members and friends
Those who care for or are close with someone with Alzheimer’s can experience near-constant worry, as they know the risks associated with memory loss, wandering, and disorientation. Medical ID jewelry can help give family members and friends peace of mind knowing that their loved one’s emergency information will be on them at all times.
Select a medical ID bracelet
for your loved one with dementia
A medical ID bracelet with a safety clasp is undoubtedly the most important thing someone with Alzheimer’s can wear. At Elegant Medical Alert, we offer two bracelets with safety clasps—one with a slim plaque and one with a wide plaque. Improve your loved one’s safety and your peace of mind by purchasing a medical ID bracelet for them today.
