Identify Yourself While Walking Alone
By Betsy Evatt, CMC
October, 2011

With summer behind us, the cooler air beckons us outdoors. Do you or someone important to you ever venture out alone without identification? This could prove tragic for anyone, not just our elderly or disabled loved ones. It is an easy problem to correct and it doesn't involve wearing a medical alert medallion that can be a non-starter to many.

While watching the bicyclists during the Tour de France in July, one commercial caught my eye: "Road ID" (www.roadID.com) is a very small, metal imprinted identification plate attached to a half-inch wide, velcro band. The ID band can be wrapped around a bike seat, or inserted through shoe laces. I bought one for my husband. The day it arrived in the mail, I went for my regular evening walk alone. A car made a scary turn around a corner in front of me. It occurred to me that if I was victim to an accident at that moment, I had no identification on and would be a Jane Doe in a trauma center. I went home and ordered one for myself. These are perfect identifiers for our clients who like to be outside on their own. I have ordered several for both family and clients.

Many people enjoy outdoor activities alone. Our job as care managers is to promote this independence in our clients. Increasing safety enhances security while allowing the individual to pursue activities that bring pleasure. During our initial assessment of a new person, we discuss using a medical alert system if the client is alone at home. (My favorite system is still "Lifeline" www.lifelinesys.com which has also developed a fall detecting mechanism in the event the person is unable to push the button.) Using a medical alert system can prolong the time one can be alone in a home setting. However, there are limitations to these systems, as most do not work at any distance from the home.

New GPS technology is being developed every day. I found a mobile alert system for one of my clients that works like a standard system at home, and ALSO has a detachable unit that she puts in her purse when she walks to the market. www.MobileHelpNow.com works with cellular technology to improve security away from home. Thankfully she has never had to use it, but she has tested it and has received immediate response from the system operators. This system is limited by the potential for poor cellular coverage, but it is a step in the right direction.

Shoes with a GPS chip have been in development for years to help with locating someone who wanders. The website at www.GPSshoes.com still says "Coming soon," but you can log on to be notified when the shoe is available.

The care managers at Senior Care Management, Inc. always have our eyes at ears open to new resources that can enhance the safety and independence of our clients. That is part of our job. If you know someone who could benefit from this information, please forward this e-newsletter.