Little Falls police complete new Alzheimer's awareness training
Police interaction with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease is not limited to when they become confused and lost. A person's chances of interaction with police increase with a dementia diagnosis, and it's important, experts say, for police to know the signs.
Unable to explain unusual behavior, the actions of individuals with some form of dementia can be easily misunderstood, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
The Little Falls Police Department became the first department in Bergen and Passaic counties to complete Alzheimer’s New Jersey, "Always Safe" training last month. The department's officers underwent extensive training to spot the signs of the disease.
Symptoms may lead to auto accidents from failure to obey street signs or erratic driving. Some drivers may even appear intoxicated or under the influence, according to the association.
Police need to know, experts say, dementia can erase an individual's memories of societal norms, which can lead to indecent exposure, bad judgment, shoplifting and even violent behavior.
Ten of the Little Falls' 30 police officers have already completed the training course. The rest will follow, said Lt. James Briggs.
The training lasted 90 minutes, and will help officers recognize the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's.
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"It is important for police officers and first responders to understand the disease and know how to deal with someone with cognitive issues,” said Ken Zaentz, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s NJ.
The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. Other symptoms surface, however, as the disease progresses such as confusion of time and place; disorientation; mood and behavior changes; and difficulty communicating.
The training provides practical strategies to effectively respond to communication and behavior issues that may be exhibited by someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
These strategies can help to minimize arrests, injuries or any other dangerous situations.
Another aspect of the Always Safe training involves caretakers, Briggs said. They are encouraged to fill out identification forms that include basic information and a photograph.
New Jersey has 180,000 known cases of Alzheimer's, according to the association and about 450,000 who care for them.
Information from the card will added to local police departments' data bases.
"This saves us time if the person goes missing," Briggs said.
While working an overnight shift as a police officer, Briggs said he came across a Sussex man who said he was lost.
"He said he left his house to go a store a few towns over," Briggs recalled. The man did not remember where he lived, but eventually did remember a phone number for a family member.
The information on the cards is also used to alert officers that they are responding to a home where an individual has dementia.
Briggs said the department is also occasionally asked to check on individuals by family or friends. The Safe ID cards will be helpful in those situations as well, he said.
“We understand that people with Alzheimer’s disease are at greater risk for personal safety issues due to memory loss and confusion and we want to protect and help them,” Briggs said.
Alzheimer’s New Jersey has worked with a number of police departments and emergency first responders in Hudson, Essex, Middlesex, Camden and Cape May counties.
The hope, Alzheimer's officials say, is that Little Falls will serve as an example and encourage other departments to take the training.
The Always Safe program is just the first of the department's training for the growing special needs population, Briggs said. Next up, he said, is autism awareness training.
Email: fagan@northjersey.com