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How to Prevent Dementia Wandering
Wandering is one of the most common behavioral problems faced by adults with dementia. It can be hard to prevent, but with the right safeguards and training in place, it is possible to reduce the severity of a person’s wandering pattern and keep them safe even when they do venture out.
Secure the Living Space

One of the most important ways to reduce the risk of dementia wandering is to secure the living space. This can mean ensuring that the home has alarms, locks, and motion-sensing devices.

Another step to take is to provide a safe environment that provides meaningful stimulation during the day. This can be accomplished by incorporating a variety of activities such as music, art, and physical exercise.

Providing a safe and engaging place to live can help seniors with memory loss feel secure in their surroundings. This can prevent them from wandering or causing a safety hazard by leaving the home unsupervised.

Creating pathways around the home that connect indoor and outdoor spaces is a good start to helping those with dementia navigate their new surroundings. Other strategies include identifying common triggers for wandering and offering creative solutions to address these triggers. gps tracker for dementia patients Some senior living communities also provide wearable technology that alerts staff when a dementia patient has exited a designated area or room.
Redirect Their Attention

When someone with dementia is feeling agitated or disoriented, they may try to escape from their environment. This behavior, also known as wandering, can lead to getting lost and can be a significant concern for family caregivers.

One way to prevent a person with dementia from wandering is to redirect their attention. Dementia Trackers This can be done using verbal or physical redirection.

For example, if your loved one is jumping on the couch and you yell “Stop jumping!” that feels the same to them as if you said, “You have to get up to get a snack before we leave the house.” This can help you redirect their attention to something else.

This type of ABA redirection is very effective. It is important to reinforce the redirected behavior. dementia wandering prevention You can do this by having them perform the redirected behavior again in the future. It can also be done by giving them feedback about their behavior. Sometimes it is even a good idea to tell them that the redirected behavior was a nice one.
Identify Triggers

When a loved one wanders, it can be challenging for both them and caregivers. Understanding their motivations can be a great first step to help prevent the behavior.

Many dementia patients have a habit of wanting to “go home.” They may think they are trapped in a familiar environment and need to return there to feel safe.

Often, this is a temporary phase, but it can be frustrating for both the patient and the caregiver.

Make sure the senior knows where their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen are so they won’t be tempted to leave the home. Adding a picture or sign of the room on the door can help.

Having a regular routine is also helpful. Getting up at a set time, eating a meal and doing exercise afterward can help take the focus off wandering and give the senior something to look forward to.
Call 911

Wandering is a common behavior associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Fortunately, caregivers and family members can take steps to prevent it.

Identifying the reasons why a person might wander is key to finding ways to prevent it. For example, people may be looking for the bathroom or trying to return to their former home.

Keep a diary of when and where they usually wander so that you can identify patterns. You can also reduce triggering objects such as handbags, coats, mail for posting or work clothes.

You can also conceal doors or re-locate door locks above eye level to make it more difficult for them to escape. Try to camouflage exits with neutral floor mats, wallpaper or paint that matches the room's decor.
Homepage: https://dementiatrackers.com