One of the changes that occurs in people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is a reduced ability to recognize familiar surroundings. This can cause them to become confused about where they are and wander away in search of a more familiar environment.
Causes of Wandering:
Increased stress: Some people feel nervous when they’re around a lot of people they don’t know, causing them to wander to try to get away from the uncomfortable situation.
Previous routines: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia interfere with a person’s memory. Your loved one may wander because they want to return to familiar routines, such as going to church or having lunch with friends.
Navigation problems: People with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia may develop problems with their vision or ability to navigate different environments, causing them to get lost even in familiar places.
Looking for loved ones: In some cases, people with dementia wander because they’re looking for people they knew in the past, such as friends from school or relatives who’ve passed away.
Personal needs: People with dementia may also wander when they have personal needs. For example, someone may wander off in search of a restroom.
Signs that a Person with Dementia may be at risk for wandering:
Displaying a high level of nervousness or anxiety when visiting new places
Asking for family members or friends they knew in the past
Forgetting how to get around the house or navigate familiar places
Returning from activities later than usual
Making repetitive movements
Pacing around the house
Steps to Take for Preventing Wandering
If your loved one has any of these risk factors, there are several steps you can take to prevent wandering. The first is to make sure that all exits have working locks. If your loved one does start to wander, a lock can prevent them from opening a door and putting themselves in harm’s way. You should also consider adding alarms to doors and windows to alert you and other caregivers if your loved one is trying to get out of the house.
Hide the keys to any vehicles on your property, including golf carts, riding lawn mowers and all-terrain vehicles.
Put away tools and other hazardous items, such as cans of gasoline, bottles of lighter fluid and ladders.
Buy an ID bracelet and make sure your loved one always wears it. If possible, have the bracelet engraved with a phrase such as “memory impaired” to let first responders know they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Make sure your loved one sees an eye doctor regularly and has their eyeglass prescription updated as needed. If they wander, having the right prescription can reduce their risk of injury by making it easier to see potential obstacles.