If one of your loved ones has Alzheimer's disease, you are well aware of the challenges presented by caretaking. One of the biggest challenges of caring for patients with dementia is wandering. This complex behavior, caused by deterioration of certain brain cells responsible for memory, can put your loved one in danger. How should you and your family handle this behavior to best keep your loved one safe?

Dangers of wandering

If your loved one paces the back yard or does laps around the coffee table, you probably don't have too many safety concerns. However, if your family member tries to walk out the door or into the street, you do have a problem. If a wanderer is not found within 24 hours of disappearing, there is a 50% chance of injury or death. This is because Alzheimer's patients are confused. They forget familiar landmarks or may think they are somewhere connected to their past. Further, they often show poor judgment by walking into traffic or connecting with people who take advantage of them.

Watch for triggers

So what do you do if your family member shows signs of wandering? The first thing to do is to identify the triggers that set off the behavior. An Alzheimer's patient can be triggered to wander by

  • becoming upset
  • searching for something
  • trying to escape a loud environment
  • reliving the past

It may take some time to figure out exactly what it is that upsets your loved one enough that he or she begins to pace aimlessly. Once you know what kinds of situations trigger your loved one, you can try to avoid them (e.g., don't go to crowded restaurants) and determine what actions will soothe the agitation.

Safe surroundings

If wandering becomes a regular event, or if your family member has wandered into harm's way one too many times, you may want to consider placement in a professional Alzheimer's care facility (also called a memory care facility), such as Valley View Retirement Community. These facilities are distinguished from nursing homes by their purposeful security measures, such as

  • silent alarms
  • staff accompaniment between buildings on the facility grounds
  • GPS trackers that alert staff to patients who leave prescribed areas

Memory care staff handle wandering patients with respect and compassion, being sensitive to their dignity and vulnerability.

Be aware of wandering triggers in your family member's life, and take reasonable precautions to prevent this unsafe behavior. If you find the behavior extends beyond what you and your family can handle at home, ask your parent's doctor for a referral to a memory care facility in your community.

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