Keeping Your Loved One Safe Around Water: Essential Tips for Caregivers

As the warmer seasons approach, so does our concern for water safety, especially for those caring for older adults, individuals living with dementia, and people with disabilities. Whether it’s a backyard pool, a nearby retention pond, or even a community water feature, bodies of water present unique risks. Given that a significant number of individuals living with dementia may wander, water safety truly needs to be at the forefront of every caregiver’s mind.

Understanding the Risks of Wandering and Water

Research from the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that a staggering 60% of individuals living with dementia will wander. That’s a statistic that certainly catches your attention, doesn’t it? This highlights a critical concern when it comes to water safety. Impaired judgment and sensory perception, often associated with dementia, can lead to dangerous situations if a person wanders near or into water.

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Safety

While the concern about wandering near water is very real, thankfully, technology offers powerful solutions.

• GPS Tracking Devices: Many individuals now utilize GPS tracking devices, which can be invaluable for monitoring your loved one’s location. Ensuring your family member living with dementia has some type of monitoring system is a crucial step in preventing water-related accidents.
• Wandering Response Programs: Programs like the Alzheimer’s Association’s MedicAlert Safe & Found program are specifically designed to assist in locating individuals who wander. If your loved one is not already enrolled, it’s highly recommended to do so. These programs, often working in conjunction with GPS systems, provide a critical notification system. Once a phone call is made, it alerts rescue personnel and other relevant individuals to begin searching for your loved one.

Creating Environmental Barriers

Many caregivers are already proactively implementing environmental strategies to enhance safety. These measures are vital in preventing access to potentially dangerous areas, including bodies of water.

• Door Locks: Installing keyed locks on doors, particularly those placed higher up, can effectively prevent a person from leaving the house unsupervised.
• Fencing and Physical Barriers: Implementing fences and other environmental structures can act as significant barriers, restricting access to pools, ponds, and other water sources in your community. These physical deterrents are key to limiting the potential for injury.

Essential Safety Equipment

Beyond prevention, it’s important to consider what safety equipment is available in case an incident occurs. Be aware of safety equipment that can be used for rescue if someone does wander into that pond or needs to be rescued from the pool. Having this knowledge and potentially the equipment readily accessible can make a life-saving difference.

The Power of Communication

One of the most underestimated yet incredibly effective safety measures is open communication within your community.

• Informing Your Neighbors: Share information with your neighbors about your loved one’s specific needs, especially if they are prone to wandering or have a particular condition. A caregiver recently told us about a house fire in their neighborhood where the neighbors’ first instinct was to ask, “Where’s your mom? Is she okay?” This immediate concern was a direct result of the caregiver having communicated with the neighborhood about their mother’s needs. This really shows how powerful open communication can be!
• Building a Support Network: When a crisis occurs, having a well-informed neighborhood can work significantly in your favor, ensuring that if your loved one is not with you, others know to look out for them and understand the situation.

Reviewing Key Water Safety Strategies

While many caregivers are already doing an excellent job, it’s always beneficial to review essential water safety measures:

• Environmental Controls: Utilize locks on doors and establish fencing or other natural barriers to prevent wandering and restrict access to water.
• Technology & Programs: Register your loved one with GPS tracking devices and programs like the Safe & Found program. Also, consider personal emergency response buttons that allow for quick calls for help.
• Community Communication: Communicate openly with your neighbors about your loved one’s needs and any conditions they may have.

We’re Here to Help

Navigating the complexities of caregiving can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. For more resources, support and personalized guidance on ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved one, please contact CICOA CareAware today. Our professional caregiver counselors are here to provide the compassionate advice and information you need.

Kindness Asemota

Caregiver Options Counselor