Wandering & Dementia: Understanding Wandering & How to Manage it

*Credit: William Olivieri Via* *Unsplash*

Wandering is a risk associated with many conditions, such as dementia. If you're a caregiver, you might get worried because your loved one with dementia tends to wander. Although there's no harm in walking around in a controlled space, wandering becomes an issue when you can't control every move the senior with dementia makes.

You can lean on care homes for dementia to help ease your mind and prevent getting overwhelmed. Since it may not be possible for you to keep an eye on your loved one every second, you can feel less anxious knowing that high levels of nursing care surround them.

What is Wandering?

Wandering is typical behaviour among seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease and results from physical changes in the brain. It is more common in the middle or later stages of dementia, but it can also happen early.

Changes in the brain of an individual with dementia cause them to become confused, lose memory, and be disoriented. So, they may start walking around and lose their train of thought or path back home. Wandering poses multiple health risks and causes injuries in adults with or without dementia.

Why Do People Wander?

Although it is difficult to understand why a person with dementia wanders as every person is different, some reasons include:

● Bothered by loud noises

● Feeling too hot or cold

● Might be hallucinating due to medication side effects

● Feeling bored

● Might need to use the bathroom

● Trouble adjusting in a new environment

● Want to visit a more familiar place

There are many reasons why an individual with dementia may wander. If you're unsure what stage of dementia is wandering more prevalent, observe your loved one and notice their daily habits. If they leave their home and start to wander outside, it can be risky, so it is crucial to prioritize dementia wandering prevention.

The Relationship Between Dementia & Wandering

Wandering is a dementia stage that can be unsafe for seniors. Some of the most common symptoms of dementia include the inability to travel alone, memory deficiencies, and delusions. Some of these symptoms can result in the dementia wandering stage.

Since dementia changes lives extensively, wandering can help them feel comfortable and calm their nerves. In some cases, the senior might try to make peace with the disease or feel more independent. However, the idea of wandering can be stressful for caregivers and family members since you don't know where your loved one can end up.

An individual with dementia is easily disoriented, so crowded settings might urge them to get away from that space. Sometimes, seniors with dementia start walking to go home, even if they are already home.

Wandering is a much more complex situation than it seems. You might even overlook the connections between dementia and wandering if you don't carefully observe your loved one.

The Risks of Wandering

Although wandering might seem like a harmless task, it can be threatening for individuals with dementia. Unfortunately, wandering and dementia are not the greatest combination, leading to potential health risks.

Wandering is prevalent in many different types of dementia, but the stages it occurs at can vary. Here are some risks of wandering that you want to avoid.

Could Get Lost

When a senior with dementia starts to wander, they might forget the routes and get lost. Finding their way back might be difficult, especially if they manage to go far away or leave home without funds to use public transportation.

May Sustain Injuries

If individuals continue to wander for long hours, they might visit unsafe areas and potentially sustain injuries. Long walks can also result in injuries if the senior feels weak and falls.

Could Lose Belongings

When seniors walk around, they might accidentally drop personal belongings, such as a wallet or phone.

*Credit: SHVETS production Via* *Pexels*

People May Take Advantage

Unfortunately, some people may take advantage of elderlies with dementia. If someone with bad intentions notices a senior wandering, they may misguide them or steal their belongings. In addition, they may also become victims of fraud. The FBI estimates that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually as a result of elder fraud.

How to Prevent Wandering?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to prevent wandering. However, you can use some dementia wandering prevention strategies to help seniors in different ways. You may not be able to guarantee that a person living with dementia won't wander, but you can take some measures to prevent wandering.

Identify Underlying Cause

It can be beneficial to keep a diary with detailed notes about when your loved one tends to wander. If they wander at particular times during the night, they may be bored or need to visit the bathroom. However, wandering at night could mean they are hungry or unable to sleep.

Secure Your Home

If your loved one is continuously heading towards the door, it is essential to secure your home by purchasing alarms that will alert you when they plan to go out. You can also switch up your locks and re-locate them above eye level so that your family member doesn't notice them. In addition, it can be helpful to secure other areas of the home, too, since you don't know which area your loved one will visit.

Ensure All Basic Needs Are Met

Sometimes, people may wander because they have to use the bathroom or drink water. Remind them to go to the bathroom when there are people around to prevent getting up at night. It can also be helpful to reduce water intake two hours before bedtime.

Encourage Physical Activity

Although not every person might be able to engage in physical activity, if it is possible, help your loved one get physical exercises during the day to prevent unsupervised walks.

Seek Professional Assistance

It can be challenging to keep an eye on your loved one all the time. So, professional assistance can tone down the stress. When your family member receives compassionate dementia care in Toronto, you can rest assured that they are in good hands.

Create Interventions for Wandering

Keeping your wanderers engaged requires effort. Some dementia wandering interventions include arts and crafts, painting, exercising, and item sorting.

Early interventions included physical restraints and medication. However, strategies have changed, so current dementia wandering interventions contain high-tech strategies, such as system (GPS)–enabled devices. Some interventions are low-tech, such as door murals, visual barriers, and musical therapy.

Equip Them with Personal ID

Since dementia wandering prevention doesn't always work immediately, you should be prepared if your family member goes out and gets lost. You can include their identification along with emergency phone numbers on some form of jewelry or clothing so that their ID is always with them.

Let Your Neighbours Know

It can be helpful to alter your neighbours about the condition of your loved one. If you're not around and your neighbours notice your family member appearing disoriented, they can help them and inform you.

Dementia and wandering are a strong duo. But, you can take preventive measures to help your loved one with dementia. SageCare offers a home-like environment with high levels of personalized care, allowing our nurses to identify underlying issues and help your family stay safe. As one of the ten best retirement homes in Toronto, we vow to put your mind at ease and help your loved one age in place.