One of the more common signs of Alzheimer’s disease is being confused and disoriented even in the most familiar of surroundings. Naturally, this can lead to wandering, a habit seen in 60 percent of people with dementia. Wandering can be very dangerous, and it’s important that family members take steps to limit this behavior and keep their elderly loved ones safe.
Evaluate Underlying Causes
To keep wandering to a minimum, you first need to understand why seniors with Alzheimer’s wander in the first place. People wander for different reasons. Some wander because they’re searching for something but have forgotten where to go or how to find it, while others might be trying to get away from what they perceive as a stressful situation, such as having too many people around. Others are simply reliving the past—they try to go to jobs they haven’t had for years, or they try to go home despite already being there. No two people wander for exactly the same reason, so it’s important that you talk to your loved one and find out why he or she is wandering. This will help you put precautions in place and prevent at least some of this behavior.
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Maintain Daily Routines
The best way to prepare for Alzheimer’s wandering is to have a daily routine in place. The routine should be easy to follow, and it shouldn't be changed unless it’s absolutely necessary. This will be more helpful in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, when your loved one is just starting to lose his or her memory.
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Identify & Address Triggers
Another great thing you can do to curb wandering is to address any potential triggers. Since many people wander when they’re looking for something to eat or need to use the bathroom, offering a snack or showing your parent where the bathroom is may work surprisingly well at keeping wandering to a minimum.
Make Changes in the Home
Providing visual cues, such as descriptive photographs, on doors can keep your loved one from getting lost in his or her own home. Alarm systems can let you know when your loved one is on the move, and safety locks can prevent him or her from wandering away from home. These may be seen as more extreme solutions, but they may be necessary if the wandering behavior gets out of hand. In the later stages of the disease, your loved one will likely need home care to ensure safety around the clock.
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