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Alzheimer's

Planning for the vulnerable during crises

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People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia especially can be vulnerable during disasters, such as severe weather, fires, floods, hurricanes and other emergency situations.

It is important for the caregivers of those afflicted to have a plan that includes the special needs of people with impairments in memory and reasoning that could severely limit their ability to act appropriately in a crisis.

In general, caregivers should be prepared to meet the needs of the family for three days to seven days, including having supplies and backup options when basic services like water or electricity, are lost, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross can provide information on how to make a general disaster preparedness plan.

And, the Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov) has a disaster planning toolkit for people with dementia.

Here are some tips from the NIA on how to plan ahead:

  • Caregivers should consider the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s while assembling supplies for the disaster kit. All supplies should be stored in a watertight container. A kit could include: incontinence undergarments, wipes and lotions; a pillow, toy or something the person can hold onto; favorite snacks and high-nutrient drinks; recent photos of the person; and, medical documents and medications.
  • If a move to a safer place is required, such as to a community shelter or someone’s home, caregivers should be sensitive to the Alzheimer’s patient’s emotions, by staying close, offering their hand, or giving reassuring hugs.
  • While planning an evacuation, know how to get to the nearest emergency shelters; arrange with someone else for transport; make sure the person with Alzheimer’s wears an ID bracelet; take general supplies and disaster kit; keep neighbors, friends and family informed about your location; keep comforting items on hand; and keep your cellphone charged.

For more information, including what to do in the case of caregiver/patient separation, and how to prepare for disaster situations, consider contacting these organizations:

• Eldercare Locator: Call (800) 677-1116, visit Eldercare.acl.gov, or email .

Published July 08, 2020

Denial recommended on senior care site in Wesley Chapel

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended denial of a request for a conditional use permit to allow a residential treatment facility for up to 30 residents on Pomello Trace in Wesley Chapel.

Planning commissioners voted 5-0 against the request by Jordanes Hippolite, who is seeking permission to create an elderly care center, on a site at 29436 Pomella Trace, that’s smaller than a half-acre. The property is about 200 feet east of Caroline Drive.

The applicant proposed a single-story 4,500-square-foot facility. The application said the facility is intended for elderly residents.

In the application, the applicant states in part that, “as a Registered Nurse of 20+ years of experience, I’m writing this letter to request assistance in granting permission to build a home  for elderly care in Wesley Chapel.

“As a dedicated caregiver to elderly residents of assisted living and memory care communities  since 2000, I have worked as a nurse, where I assist residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with daily living needs.”

The county’s planning staff recommended approval, with a number of conditions.

But, several neighbors urged planning commissioners to reject the request.

Jeff Kirschner, of 29431 Pomello Trace, told planning commissioners that residents frequently take walks in the neighborhood with their pets, and their children ride their bicycles up and down the roads because there are no sidewalks.

He said the proposed care facility would be more appropriate on State Road 54 and is not “congruent” with the existing neighborhood.

“This was somebody’s backyard that someone purchased and wanted to make a commercial entity because of the convenience of it,” he said.

Michelle Obregon, of 29419 Pomello Trace, lives across the street from the proposed residential care center.

“I’ve been in the neighborhood for almost 15 years. The reason I chose the neighborhood was because of it being a quiet neighborhood to raise children in. I love Wesley Chapel. I love my neighbors.

“We only have one entrance in our neighborhood.

“We already have to share the road with those coming in and out. We have to share the road with our neighbors that are walking with their children. We have to share the road for the neighbors who are walking with their dogs. We have to share the road with the children who are riding bikes because we do not have sidewalks. We have to share the road with kids that are coming off the buses in the morning and afternoon.

“I know my neighbors. I do not know the people that will be living at the facility. I do not know the families of the people that would be living at the facility.

“This is a residential neighborhood. We want to keep it a residential neighborhood. We didn’t purchase for commercial to be put in there,” she said.

Other neighbors offered similar objections. They also raised concerns about ambulances coming and going to the residential care center, and about noise, drainage and property values. One neighbor submitted a petition with 112 signatures from people opposing the proposed use.

Planning commissioners Peter Hanzel and Michael Cox raised questions about trying to fit a facility of this nature on a lot of this size — while meeting necessary parking requirements.

“It’s almost like putting 10 pounds of sugar into a 5-pound sack,” Hanzel said.

“I don’t see the space there.

“To be very honest with you, I think at some point, you need to re-evaluate your business plan,” Hanzel added. “I don’t see it mathematically working out.”

Cox said: “Even at 20 (residents), how would you provide enough parking for the families that are coming out, and your staff and the support that would require.”

Cox added: “My mother was in an assisted living manor care unit for a long time. There was about 30 residents on the floor that she was on, and seeing the support staff that they had for those residents, there is no way in God’s green earth that you’re going to be able to do that on that piece of property.”

Cox called for denial of the request, which the board adopted.

The planning commission’s recommendation now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on the request.

Published February 12, 2020

Pasco Sheriff’s Office has new tool to track missing persons

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has a new tool to help find people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism or other cognitive disorders who wander off.

Sheriff Chris Nocco held a news conference last week to talk about using scent kits to help locate missing persons with cognitive disorders.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputies Chris Miller and Jimmy Hall, explain how Buster, the bloodhound, tracks the scent of a missing person.
(B.C. Manion)

“What we’re trying to do, as quickly as possible, is to find those loved ones who go missing — find those missing children who have wandered off from the house; those who are dealing with mental disabilities that wander off,” Nocco said.

“The stress on the family is overwhelming,” Nocco said, noting that in addition to other calls, his department handled 1,200 calls regarding missing persons in the past year.

“The faster we can track them, the faster we can find them, the faster that we save them,” the sheriff added.

Besides protecting the missing persons from harm, a quick result alleviates concerns of loved ones and enables the law enforcement agency to deploy its forces sooner to respond to other types of calls, Nocco said.

The scent kits will be distributed through the department’s SafetyNet Program, said Det. Gennis Holsom.

That program uses a transmitter attached to a SafetyNet particpant, which is tracked by deputies with radio receivers. The scent kit will add another tool to that program.

That program focuses on the cognitive disorders community, Holsom said.

“If they wander off, we’ll respond to the scene with receivers, we can put in the unique radio frequency that that particular transmitter emits and we’ll basically track the sound. We can track right to them.

“To add to the toolbox of the Safety Net program, we’re adding the scent kit, starting in June.

“The scent kit is specifically for our bloodhounds. It will be a pure scent, which will be kept at that individual’s house,” he said.

To collect someone’s scent, sterile gauze is rubbed on exposed skin, such as the arm or neck. The gauze is then sealed in a glass jar. The scent can remain viable for 5 years or longer. Care must be taken to collect the scent properly, to be sure there is no cross-contamination.

During the news conference, the department gave a demonstration of how the scent kids will be used.

A bloodhound named Buster was given a sniff of a scent that had been collected and stored in a jar. Working with K-9 deputy Chris Miller, Buster followed a trail that led to a man who was hiding in a stand of pine trees.

The scent kid enables the bloodhound to smell an item that has just the missing person’s scent on it, K-9 deputy Jimmy Hall explained.

“Sometimes, if we take a scent article from the house, three or four other people within the house might have touched it,” Hall said. “If you were to hand me a shirt, there’s no telling how many different scents are on there.”

Those who are interested in learning more about the program should contact Shelby Homko, at (727) 815-7119.

Published June 6, 2018