Notes

Elderly Wandering - How to Prevent Elderly Wandering
Alzheimer's patients frequently wander off, leaving family and care providers worried. This can be frightening to witness and can become increasingly dangerous over time.

Try to identify what may be triggering their wandering, such as sleep deprivation or overstimulation, then reduce clutter in their home and provide handrails on stairs, as well as providing secure storage of luggage or outdoor clothing.
Signs of Wandering

Six out of ten people with dementia wander, which is one of the most dangerous symptoms of their illness. Wanderers run the risk of becoming disoriented, lost, injured and possibly killed if left alone - family members must remain aware and be able to identify warning signs to protect them from going off on their own.

If your loved one is experiencing difficulty in familiar places such as his bathroom or bedroom in his own home, this may be a telltale sign that they're at risk of wandering. Furthermore, any talk of leaving at a regular time each day for work or meeting up with a vendor at odd hours at night are clear signals they're trying to fulfill past responsibilities or fulfill past promises.

Signs of wandering include restlessness, agitation and difficulty focusing. Typically these are precursors to someone wanting to leave their current situation (it could be noisy, overstimulating or busy). Creating a calm environment and clearly labeling areas within the house may help alleviate confusion; understanding your loved one's wandering patterns and where they tend to go can prevent entering unsafe environments such as bodies of water, open stairwells, tunnels or roadways with heavy traffic; many individuals who wander are found within 1.5 miles from where they disappeared from.
Causes of Wandering

Wandering can be a frightening and dangerous behavior for anyone; however, those living with dementia face particular difficulty when wandering away from home or even their familiar location. They may not remember how to reach places such as bedrooms or bathrooms and may become disoriented after trying multiple routes back inside.

Children may become fixated on sounds or objects and be drawn towards them, leading them to investigate them further. To reduce temptations for this behavior and make stairs easier to use for all, sturdy handrails should be added along with small throw rugs or any potential trip hazards removed as soon as possible. Stairways should also be well lit with carpet stripes or paint markings for further safety measures.

Many times wandering behavior can be linked to sleeplessness; try getting your loved one onto a regular sleep schedule by decreasing daytime naps and cutting back on caffeinated beverages. Also encouraging physical activity may help, such as going for an supervised walk around the block before dinner can reduce nighttime anxiety and restlessness.

Sometimes those who wander are trying to meet obligations from the past, like going to work or taking their child to school. Additionally, certain medications could contribute to wandering.
Prevention


Good news is there are ways to decrease the chances of your elderly loved one wandering off alone, from tech solutions such as geofencing to practical measures such as installing a fence. Speak with your doctor about potential medications which are less likely to cause delusions and confusion as it might be possible to switch them out for ones which offer greater protection.

Keep a diary of your loved one's wandering behavior and look for patterns. Late-night wandering may be due to thirst or hunger; placing some water or crackers next to their bed might help alleviate that issue. Incorporating low caffeine diets may also reduce agitation and restlessness while improving sleep quality.

personal alarms for elderly Avoid situations which could trigger wandering, such as loud noises and over-stimulating environments. By creating an atmosphere of peace - such as labeling rooms and storage areas - disorientation should be reduced significantly. Consider investing in an alarm system with GPS tracking like the MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return program so your loved one is identifiable and has a way back home quickly.

People who wander are typically found within a few miles of their disappearance; therefore it is important to begin searching as soon as possible. People living with dementia are most likely to head in the direction of their dominant hand so begin your search efforts in that area first.
Treatment

Behavior interventions are the cornerstone of wandering prevention management, including psychoeducation, increasing physical and cognitive stimulation, minimizing environmental triggers like exit-seeking behavior (Lucero 2002) as well as nonpharmacological modalities before resorting to medications or devices which violate autonomy (Lucero, 2002).

Individuals who wander usually have a specific goal in mind and aim to fulfill past commitments such as visiting relatives or going on an old walk route. Furthermore, they may feel restless or anxious and use walking to try and relieve themselves by changing scenery or simply to relax their mind.

If an elderly resident wanders frequently within a care facility, it's vital that an alert system be put into place - this might involve using GPS with emergency button that connects directly to a 24/7 call center that will provide law enforcement with their location and conditions of their current situation.

Hospitals can be dangerous environments for older patients with dementia. Their unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar people and activities, and medical treatment-induced delirium can trigger wandering and elopement behaviors which require assessment by hospital staff in order to create personalized nursing interventions to combat it.

Read More: https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/