Six out of 10 adults with dementia will wander according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The experience is scary for both the patient and their loved ones, and the consequences can prove fatal. Individuals may wander into traffic or injure themselves in similar ways. They can suffer from exposure to extreme weather or dehydration. Their age and diminished mental state could make them easy targets for theft. 

For these and related reasons, wandering dementia patients who are not found within 24-hours are 50% likely to experience severe injury. 

One of the best ways to help prevent wandering is the installation of home monitoring equipment and door alarms for Alzhimer’s patients. Even if the doctor determines that your elderly family member is in the earlier stages of dementia, take the initiative to set-up a DIY security system with the option to add on alarms as needed. Because Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, it’s essential to have safeguards against wandering before the need arises rather than after. 

Your focus is to keep the Alzheimer’s patient inside rather than thwart intruders, so you require a more comprehensive solution than basic outdoor cameras. Secure your home with the following door alarms and security equipment to effectively monitor all potential exits and safety threats. 

Security Systems and Wandering Alarms for Dementia Keep Elderly Loved Ones Safe 

When correctly set-up, a home alarm and monitoring system can be powerful tools for protecting elderly loved ones suffering from dementia. It notifies you of unexpected coming-and-going, as well as grants you additional visibility even when you’re not physically present.

Door and Window Sensors Can Sound the Alarm and Notify Your Phone

Perhaps the most important element of a dementia-friendly security system are “wandering alarms.” Position sensors on all doors and windows to warn when the Alzheimer’s patient leaves the property. When activated, they send push notifications to your phone so you can immediately respond. You can also determine whether you would want an audible alarm to chime when the door or window opens. 

Blue by ADT’s DIY door and window sensors are easy to set-up without the need for professional installation. In fact, they’re so simple that no tools are necessary; simply choose between using the provided adhesive tape or a simple screwdriver, if preferred. Visit our Support Center to learn more about door and window sensors. 

Motion Sensors to Track Inside Activities

When part of a comprehensive dementia home monitoring plan, motion sensors can inform you when the patient wanders into a particular area of the house. Some rooms present more hazards than others (such as the garage or kitchen), so you will need to intercept if your elderly loved one ventures in unsupervised. You can utilize door alarms for Alzheimer’s patients within the interior of your home for a similar purpose. 

Blue by ADT motion sensors offer a wireless design and quick set-up, enabling you to reposition them as needed. Like the door alarms, our motion sensors give you the option to activate an audible chime or keep the system silent. Either way, the motion sensors will send instantaneous notifications to your phone so you can conveniently monitor the dementia patient’s movement. 

Indoor Cameras Enable Easy Dementia Home Monitoring + Communication 

You cannot be by your loved one’s side during all hours of the day, so you must have a backup solution. Indoor cameras let you monitor the dementia patient’s welfare from your mobile device, giving you peace of mind. Plus, the two-way talk feature enables easy communication. 

If you have at-home care aids visiting regularly, the cameras increase visibility into their activities. Unfortunately, theft and elderly abuse are not unheard-of; an estimated 50% of dementia patients experience some form of abuse from caretakers. It’s crucial that you monitor what’s going on inside the home and that you can review stored footage if you suspect trouble. 

Take note, it’s legal to record footage within your home without notifying others as long as the footage captures no audio and is not used for underhanded purposes. However, if you want to record camera footage with audio, the following states declare that you must have written permission from all participants: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. 

Blue by ADT indoor cameras grant you the choice between recording with or without audio, allowing you to monitor your elderly family members however you think is best.

Outdoor Cameras Helps Monitor Elderly Loved Ones Enjoying Fresh Air

Like all of us, Alzheimer’s patients can get antsy. The great outdoors brings excitement and exercise, and those who have not previously wandered may be able to be left alone to enjoy their porch or yard (always consult with a doctor). Outdoor cameras let you monitor their activities from your phone and even communicate using the two-way voice feature. In the scenario that an Alzheimer’s patient does wander, your outdoor cameras can help determine where they went based on their general behavior and direction. 

Fire Sensors Can Call 9-1-1, Even if Your Loved One Can’t

House fires pose immediate threats to loved ones with Alzheimer’s and similar types of dementia. There are increased risks associated with forgetting to turn off appliances or trying to cook, and patients may not immediately vacate the premises if smoke detectors sound. A home alarm system equipped with fire sensors will automatically notify both you and the authorities that alarms were triggered. 

This means that help will be on the way ASAP, even if the dementia patient doesn’t dial 9-1-1.

Doorbell Cameras Allows You to Interact With Visitors on Behalf of Dementia Patients

Doorbell cameras are useful for many reasons. However, as a caretaker of an individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you will particularly appreciate being able to interact with visitors regardless of your location. You can remotely welcome in-home aids and friends, as well as vet unexpected visitors. The elderly are all-too-often targeted for identity theft and investment schemes, and the doorbell camera lets you intercede before predators reach vulnerable loved ones. 

Set-Up a DIY Security System to Fit Your Home and the Dementia Patient’s Growing Needs 

Build Your Own System from Blue by ADT enables you to purchase the door sensors, cameras, and wandering alarms you need to monitor your elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Customize your order based on the number of rooms, windows, and doors within your property. To help you get started, we also offer pre-existing home security packages that you can further build upon. 

Because dementia symptoms like wandering only worsen with time, it’s crucial to get a DIY alarm system that you can easily expand as your loved one’s needs increase.