Organization working to help Nebraska families navigate memory care

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - In the last month, at least four elderly folks in the metro have wandered away from their homes. It’s an alarming reminder of how challenging caring for a loved one in cognitive decline can be.

Janelle Cox at the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging said wandering is a distressing symptom of memory loss and can be an indicator that more intense care is needed.

“If that loved one is living alone in their own home, the likelihood of that changing is pretty high,” said Cox.

She encourages families to start considering their options as soon as a diagnosis is given by a healthcare professional, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

“Don’t wait until you can’t talk about it, don’t wait until you’re sick and don’t feel good, don’t wait until your options are limited. Let’s talk about it up front and make a plan,” explained Cox.

ENOA offers various program to help families evaluate what services are available and necessary, tailored to the loved ones’ needs.

Many people choose to move their family member into an assisted living facility. Cox said to plan ahead if you think memory care will be needed down the line.

“It is difficult and to be able to get your name in on a list sometimes, because availability is limited. I think that is something that people need to keep in mind,” told Cox.

Since many facilities require private pay, ENOA can also help you apply for financial relief, such as waiver programs or grants. This is even available if you choose to become a caregiver in your own home.

They also have Caregiver Support Program that offers case management and a support group.

“That really helps to decrease the stress of caregiving, just having somebody that you can come in and talk to that’s going to understand,” said Cox.

They can also help caretakers find respite care. “Getting someone who can provide that respite early on is helpful, because then they become a familiar face,” explained Cox.

Cox herself knows how difficult navigating the process is. “When folks call here, I’ll be honest, I use my own personal experience with my mother. It was hard. It was hard going to see somebody who didn’t recognize me, she couldn’t say my name,” told Cox.

As her mother’s dementia advanced, she moved her twice into different facilities and was her caretaker until she passed. Now, Cox leans on that experience to help others get through it too.

“It’s just such a difficult balance about keeping independence, but yet trying to promote that health and safety and welfare for our loved ones,” said Cox.

She encourages everyone in the community to keep an eye out for elderly people in need.

“If you see an older person that looks misplaced, go up and ask, talk to them. It could be life saving,” said Cox.

Another tool to locate someone who is at risk of wandering is a wearable GPS tracking device.

In Sarpy County, Project Lifesaver offers transmitter bracelets. Last week, Sarpy County officials said a missing elderly woman was found within one hour because she was wearing a bracelet.

Cox did note that it’s important to get that individual used to wearing that device as early as you can. Cox said many families also use surveillance cameras to monitor a loved ones’ home, in case they start to wander off.

RECENT CASES OF WANDERING

On an extremely hot day in late August, Sarpy County authorities searched for a 74-year-old woman with a cognitive disorder, who wandered from her home. She was found safe a few hours later.

The very next day, an Omaha family reported a 68-year-old man, with schizophrenia and suspected dementia, missing. Family members of Robert Jimmerson said he walked away from his north Omaha home days earlier.

Nearly two weeks later, the search ended in the worst-case scenario. Police confirmed the body of Jimmerson had been recovered. No foul play was suspected.

Then in early September, Omaha Police asked for the public’s help in finding a missing 79-year-old man with dementia and Alzheimer’s. He was eventually found safe in an area where he’d spent time in his youth.