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Ways to Keep Someone With Dementia From Wandering
Wandering is a common problem among people with dementia. It can be distressing for both the person with dementia and their caregivers.

Fortunately, some strategies can help reduce the risk of dementia-related wandering. By taking preventive steps, you can keep your loved one safe and prevent them from getting lost outside of their home.
Assessing the Risk of Wandering

People with dementia often have difficulty walking. That can increase their risk of falling and getting lost.

Dementia can also change a person's mood. They may be irritable or angry for no reason.

Having trouble remembering things, such as the date or time, can be another warning sign of dementia. They may get ready for an appointment or social event on the wrong day.

A new study by Newcastle University researcher Riona McArdle has found that dementia can affect a person's ability to walk. She compared the walking patterns of people with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia to those who were not affected by these conditions.

McArdle's findings could help doctors identify a person's risk of developing dementia. It would also help those who care for them understand what to watch out for in terms of their gait. It could help prevent wandering, which is dangerous and can lead to accidents or deaths.
Preventing Wandering

Wandering is a common and sometimes fatal behavior for people with dementia. Although caregivers cannot prevent it from happening, there are steps they can take to help keep their loved ones safe.

If a person’s basic needs (food, water, shelter) are met, it can make them feel less likely to wander. Changing daily routines to eliminate a potential cause of wandering can also be helpful.

Keeping a journal of when and where your loved one usually wanders can give you a sense of the triggers that might be causing them to run away. For example, if they tend to wander after dinner, try switching their meal ritual to one that includes a restful activity or quiet music.

Installing deadbolts above eye level and door alarms that sound if doors are opened can also reduce the risk of your loved one getting lost or eloping. Caregivers can also make sure their homes are safe by putting signs on exterior doors that say ’Stop,’ ’Do Not Enter’ or ‘No Trespassing.’
Detecting Wandering

If you’re a caregiver, it can be frustrating and upsetting to have a person with dementia wandering around the house. However, it’s important to know that this behavior is often not out of the blue.

Many times, it’s caused by a simple trigger, such as being hungry or thirsty. tracker for dementia patients If this is the case, a quick visit to the bathroom or leaving some snacks nearby can help stop the wandering.

Caregivers can also look for a common pattern in their loved one’s wandering. It may be that they’re wandering at the same time of day or night, when they are tired, hungry, or looking for the bathroom.

Sometimes, people with dementia may leave a familiar environment to escape something stressful or frightening, like a new restaurant, a family gathering, or a loud place. When they do, they’re often disoriented and confused — and it’s more likely they will wander.
Responding to Wandering

Wandering is a common and distressing dementia-related behavior. It can be especially alarming for caregivers and family members.

People with dementia may wander for a variety of reasons, including memory loss, confusion, fear and physical decline. They may also try to find someone or something relating to their past, such as a friend, partner or home.

In many cases, wandering is due to a lack of familiarity with the environment and can be frustrating for both caregivers and individuals.

Seniors with dementia can become confused and disoriented in unfamiliar situations, such as shopping malls, crowded restaurants or sidewalks.

They may also be frightened or anxious by loud noises, like outdoor sirens, and sudden movements.

Caregivers may be able to decrease the risk of dementia-related wandering by following a few simple steps. This includes assessing the risk, detecting wandering and responding appropriately to it.
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