Florida Assisted Living

In Lee County the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center offers a Safety Program for Alzheimer’s caregivers. The Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center’s Safety program was created to provide caregivers with tools to implement an emergency plan to prevent crises. Each Safety Program packet includes two components: 1) an emergency plan kit and 2) an identification bracelet for the memory impaired person.

Intend to help, the emergency plan kit eliminates the possibility of a crisis situation if the caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder requires emergency care. The emergency workers who come to rescue the caregiver may not be aware of a memory impaired adult residing in the home, and therefore, may leave the person with Alzheimer’s alone when they take the caregiver to the hospital.

Hanging on the front of a persons refrigerator,The Safety Program Universal Symbol,. included with the emergency plan kit is designed to alert emergency workers that a memory-impaired person resides in the home. The corresponding packet of forms, which contain important emergency contacts and care instructions provided by the caregiver, are located inside the refrigerator. Once a trained emergency worker sees the symbol, he or she will automatically know to search for an Alzheimer’s client in the house and, using the information in the refrigerator, take appropriate measures to see that care for the person is provided.

Through out Lee County, the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Centers caring staff works closely with local law enforcement and emergency workers to help train them on how the safety program can assist them when they respond to an emergency involving the caregiver of an individual with memory loss.

Through grants from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Gulf Harbour Memorial Foundation, Lee County Medical Society Alliance, and the Cape Coral Community Foundation, to caregivers caring for a loved one with memory loss in their homes in Lee County, the Safety Program packet is provided at no charge . Each packet contains all the items necessary to participate in the safety program. Instructions to put the emergency plan in place are included with each packet and assistance is available from the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center.

In addition, the program also stresses the importance of having an identification bracelet for individuals with memory loss to wear at all times. Identification bracelets help local law enforcement identify individuals who are separated from their caregivers and are unable to find their way home or even tell someone where they live due to memory impairment. Each bracelet (or necklace) is engraved with the person’s first name or nickname, a code number which matches their application number, the words “memory-impaired” and the phone number for the Lee County Sheriff’s office. Both the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office maintain records of enrolled persons application numbers and identifying information. Being able to look at a bracelet, make a phone call, and escort the lost person to his/her home reduces the time memory-impaired persons are away from their homes and saves police departments valuable effort. A brochure with an application to obtain a bracelet is included in each safety program packet. Bracelets are provided at no charge by Walgreens.

Furthermore, the Alvin Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center’s office is located at 10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101 in Fort Myers. For more information about the Safety Program, or to find out more about the services offered by the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, call (239) 437-3007.