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A dementia patient who wanders can be a source of anxiety for caregivers and family members. In some cases, this behavior can lead to serious injury or death. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent your loved one from wandering. Here are some of the most common reasons people with dementia wander: 1. Confusion. 1. Confusion Many dementia patients experience a lot of confusion, especially at the end of their life. This confusion is often triggered by over-stimulation, which can be caused by loud noises, quick movements and other sensory stimulation. When these things are paired with the frustration of not being able to communicate, the result can be a desperate attempt to escape from the environment and find a calm place where they can be safe. A common cause of wandering is wanting to go home. This can be a result of being in a new environment, like a different house or community, or it may be due to the fact that they haven’t been to their own home in some time. To help prevent your loved one from getting lost, keep track of when they tend to wander and their surroundings. Also, remember if they are left or right-handed as wandering patterns usually follow the dominant hand. Lastly, be aware of their neighborhood and pinpoint potential dangers such as bodies of water, open stairwells, busy roads and bus stops. 2. Agitation A state of intense agitation can be a dangerous and scary symptom of dementia. It is usually triggered by a feeling of unease or distress, often associated with the desire to go home. It is most common for people to wander when agitated at the end of the day or in the evening, known as sundowning. The person may be trying to get back to a place they consider to be home, or it could be that they are trying to go somewhere to meet an unmet need such as hunger or thirst. Providing them with food and water regularly can help prevent this. Despite being one of the most impactful behavioral symptoms, there is very little research evidence to guide therapeutic approaches for wandering and agitation. Many patients are unable to verbalize their distress, and it can be hard to know what is making them so anxious. It can take time to find a medication and stress relieving techniques that will work. 3. Unmet Needs Dementia patients often experience unmet needs that can trigger wandering behavior. This can include hunger, thirst, pain or boredom. In addition, a lack of sleep can cause confusion. It is important to ensure that your loved one’s basic needs are met. If you notice them trying to get outside, make sure there are visible cues that tell them they are inside such as night lights or pictures on doors. The researchers found that people with dementia who experienced a high level of unmet needs on the JHDCNA were more likely to be nonwhite and have lower education and income levels. However, the study did not investigate etiology and sampling bias is possible. Moreover, these findings are limited to those who participated in the structured interviews. This does not include the large number of individuals who declined participation, died between consent forms being obtained and the interviews or did not respond to the questionnaires. https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/geo-fencing/ Thus, it is important to keep in mind that no single intervention can prevent a person with dementia from wandering. 4. Fear People with dementia often start wandering due to confusion. They may have trouble recalling familiar places like home or a favorite park. This can lead to a fear of getting lost or becoming disoriented in a new environment. This may be especially true for those who have recently moved to a different home or neighborhood. It is also common for those with dementia to become fixated on wanting to go home. <img width="378" src="https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Personal-Alarms-NZ.jpg"> This behavior is a very difficult challenge for caregivers, families and health care professionals. It is important to assess a person with dementia’s risk of wandering and develop non-pharmacological strategies to minimize it. Consider implementing physical barriers, such as a fence or putting up security alarms that can be activated when a door or window is opened. Also, try to identify any patterns associated with the wandering, such as being triggered by evening light (known as sundowning). https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/ https://www.personalmedicalalarms.co.nz/dementia-gps/ Consider changing medications that cause confusion or agitation to ones that are less likely to do so.
