Health & Fitness
WANDERING Dealing with Dementia
Wandering can be a common side effect for those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. This article will help you understand why it occurs and help prepare you for it it does.
With mild weather upon us so soon, we are all anxious to get outdoors and enjoy what Mother Nature has provided us. For some of us that can be dangerous, especially if you have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Wandering is a common side effect in those suffering with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. This behavior is described as moving without any purpose or direction. Behaviors associated with wandering may lead to dangerous situations or encounters. Six out of every ten people with Alzheimer’s will wander and get lost, becoming disoriented and confused, even in their own neighborhood. Understanding the causes and behaviors of a person who is at risk may help you to prepare for and prevent wandering.
What Causes Wandering?
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There are several factors that can contribute to wandering behavior, including:
- Side effects of medications
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- Feeling upset, nervous or anxious
- Confusion about time
- Inability to recognize familiar people or places
- Fear of unfamiliar sights and sounds
What is High Risk Behavior?
Certain behaviors may indicate that a person is at particular risk, such as:
- Restlessness, pacing or repetitive movements
- Returns late from a walk or drive
- Tries to go to work or some other former activity
- Has a hard time finding the bathroom, bedroom or other familiar places
- Feels lost in a new or different place
What to do?
You can help reduce wandering with these simple ideas:
- Involve your loved one in simple daily activities, like folding clothes or preparing meals
- Replace anxiety and restlessness with enjoyable activities, like gardening or listening to music
- Plan activities at times when wandering usually occurs
- Provide reassurance if your loved one feels lost, disoriented, or abandoned
- Keep the house quiet and calm and provide safe places to explore
If you find an increase in the occurrences of wandering behaviors, know that you are not alone and that help is available. Please contact Arden Courts at 412-369-7887 for more wandering tips or other community resources that can assist you with wandering behaviors.
