A guide to preventing wandering in people with dementia
Wandering is a common behavior in people with dementia. It can be caused by a number of factors, including confusion and frustration. Wandering can be dangerous, as people with dementia may become lost or injured.
Below is an application guide to preventing vagrancy and dealing with the phenomenon in the best possible way.
Tips for preventing wandering
- Maintain a routine and schedule as much as possible: Create a regular schedule. This can help the person feel more secure and therefore less likely to wander. If a change in schedule is necessary, make sure to do it gradually and moderately. Provide activities to keep the person occupied. This can help reduce boredom and restlessness, which can lead to wandering.
- Make sure That the house is safeThis includes installing locks on doors and windows, using doorbells on main doors, and removing any hazards from the environment.
- Maintain a calm and adapted living environment: Avoid dramatic changes to the living environment, such as renovations, to reduce the feeling of confusion. Design the environment so that it suits the person's needs and abilities and is as adapted as possible to perform daily activities independently.
- Pay attention to triggers: People with dementia are more likely to wander at certain times of day or in certain situations. Once you identify your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them.
- Pay attention to personal grooming and a healthy lifestyle: Make sure the person wears comfortable clothing that is appropriate for daily activities and the weather. Maintain a healthy diet, and keep them physically active through light walking, gymnastics, and other enjoyable activities.
- Use With technological aids: There are many technological aids that help locate a wandering person, GPS-based, including some that are also jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. Also, smartphone apps can help track the person's location and trigger alerts for relatives when they are in an unexpected place.
- Personal relationship: Maintain a warm and loving personal relationship with the person to encourage a sense of security and closeness. Create positive experiences together, and try to encourage them to maintain a joy of life and a sense of satisfaction.
- Supervision when necessary: When there is concern that the person is not always aware of time and place, ways should be found to increase supervision of them at home and outside. It is important to have daily contact with them, so as not to discover that there is a problem when it is too late.
- Emergency Plan and Documents: Make an emergency plan and plan in advance how to deal with situations where the person is missing. Keep a current photo of the person accessible to you. This will help if the person wanders off and needs to be found.
- Gather and organize important documents and details in advance, including phone numbers of relatives or friends who can be contacted in case of an emergency.
- Daily Functionality: Help him focus on simple, functional daily activities. Try to solve challenges and problems together in a positive and inspiring way.
How to respond to a person with dementia who has lost someone
Download: Advice sheet for volunteers searching for a missing person with dementia
- Stay calm and reassuring. People with dementia often become anxious and confused when they are lost. Your presence and how you respond can affect the person's emotional state.
- Introduce yourself. In your names, for example, “Hello, I’m Sarah and I’m here to help you.” Use simple language and short sentences.
- Reassure the person you are there to help. Tell them that you are going to find a way to help them get home or to a safe place and that you will stay with them until you find someone you know. Reflect on the person's feelings and emotions. You can say something like, "I understand that you feel lost right now and I am here to help."
- Ask yes or no questions. Make eye contact and speak in a soft, clear voice. This can help establish rapport and reduce feelings of fear or confusion.
- Gently ask for his name and, if possible, find out his address or where he is going. Try to find out the names of family members. This information may help you determine how to proceed.
- Pay attention to the person's physical condition. If they seem dehydrated, offer them water and find a shady place to be. If they are cold, offer them something warm to wear. If they seem weak, find a comfortable place to sit.
- If you can't find out anything about the person, take them to a safe place, such as a police station or hospital. The staff at these places will be able to help you find the person's family or friends.
- Don't argue with the person. People with dementia may not be able to remember things properly, or they may have trouble understanding what you are saying. Arguing with you can only confuse them more. If they have confusion or misconceptions about their surroundings, try not to correct them directly. Such direct addressing may lead to feelings of irritation or anxiety.
If the person becomes upset or agitated, try to distract them and direct their attention to something else, such as the weather today or things they like to do. - Be patient. It can be challenging to communicate with people with dementia. They are not trying to be difficult, they are simply dealing with problems with memory and cognitive abilities.
- Try to find contact information for them. Ask the person if they can search their bag, purse, or pockets for identification. If they can't, ask for permission to search them.
- If you are able to locate the person's family or friends, tell them where you are and that you are staying with them until they arrive.
- If you are unable to assist him safely or if you cannot find his family members or the people responsible for his care, call the police or emergency services if necessary.
Please note that each person with dementia is unique and reactions may vary. The rule is to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Your priority should be to ensure their safety and well-being until you can contact family or other support.
Of course, each person with dementia is unique and their ability to cope with the desire to leave home depends on the stage of the disease and their physical and mental abilities. This guide is intended to provide help and guidance, but a dementia specialist and/or doctor should always be consulted and treatment tailored to the person's individual needs.
For additional tips and guidance on caring for someone with dementia, you can contact the Amda Association , which assists family members caring for someone with Alzheimer's or other dementias. You can consult with experts on the hotline *8889, and join one of dozens of support groups across the country for family members caring for someone with dementia.