With an impassioned level of discussion rivaling the Hatfields and McCoys, it seems impossible to come to an answer around the issue of gun control. Yet regardless of which side of the issue you are on, there’s one little-spoken-of situation that should cause all of us to take pause: the frightening combination of Alzheimer’s disease and firearms.
About 33% of all seniors in the U.S. report possessing a gun, and an additional 12% are living in the house of a gun owner. Keeping in mind that around 9% of those over age 65 have some form of dementia (and that figure is anticipated to more than double by the year 2050), it translates to millions of seniors with dementia living with firearms. Coupled with unpredictable states of confusion, aggression, and other difficult behaviors, having guns in the household set the stage for potential tragedy.
When you look at the state of Washington alone, a government survey discovered that thousands of older adults (54,000) reported memory decline and confusion as well as access to firearms – and as many as 15,000 of these respondents stating that the guns they had access to were both unlocked and loaded.
In fact, in one year alone, a Kaiser Health News report uncovered upwards of 75 reported homicides or suicides committed by people who have dementia, together with the extra cases of guns being brandished against those closest to them – household members, neighbors, caregivers. Additionally the suicide rate for seniors is higher than for any other age group, with guns being the most common source for senior men, according to research by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends eliminating firearms from the homes of people with Alzheimer’s disease, but if that isn’t an option families are willing to consider, it is crucial that you make sure that firearms are stored properly – locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. A bit of creativity can go a long way as well – for example, exchanging real guns with toy models that enable, as an example, someone who was an enthusiastic hunter to safely preserve his connection to that activity.
For additional tips on keeping people who have Alzheimer’s disease safe, contact the skilled Hinsdale home care team at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care. Our properly trained and knowledgeable caregivers are proficient in helping to manage some of the more challenging aspects of dementia, and in determining when a senior might be in crisis and require medical assistance. Our Hinsdale area dementia respite care services enable family caregivers the chance to rest and recharge, knowing their senior loved one is with reliable and caring professional caregivers. Give us a call at (630) 323-4665 to learn more.