If you have a loved one with dementia, the disease might cause them to begin to wander and find themselves in locations that are unsafe or unknown to them, causing confusion and possible harm. Wandering off can be frightening to your loved one as well as everyone who cares for him.
What causes wandering in Dementia Patients?
Also called sundowning, wandering tends to happen for most dementia patients in the evening hours. Sometimes it occurs shortly after the sun goes down, but it can also occur in the middle of the night, making a possible nighttime incident more likely. The exact cause of wandering isn’t exactly known and not everyone with dementia will experience it. Those who do might just occasionally start to wander while others may repeatedly try to wander off.
Wandering can include trying to leave the home and walking away or driving away from the home or it can happen within the home and property (such as in the yard) as the loved one with dementia searches for something or walks around aimlessly.
Five Signs Your Loved One Might be at Risk for Wandering
- Using phrases that indicate he believes he should be someplace else other than where he is. He might say “I need to go to work,” or he might declare that someone needs him to go see them. He might also refer to activities he used to do and think he’s still actively doing them, such as playing sports with friends or going to a book club.
- He’s increased the amount of pacing and restless wandering around the home, especially in the evening. If your loved one can’t seem to settle in for the evening, his wandering may keep him up at night as well, putting him at risk of injuring himself by wandering around in the dark.
- He doesn’t fully recognize his home (or his caregiver’s home) anymore. He might no longer remember where the bathroom is or where his bedroom is. He might think he’s just visiting and not remember that he now lives here.
- You notice he forgets his next destination more frequently. He’ll say he’s going to get a snack but then never makes it to the kitchen and instead ends up in the laundry room.
- He forgets to come back inside when he’s been out in the yard.
If your loved one shows any of these symptoms, it’s best to get ahead of the game and set up plans to keep him safe at home so that he doesn’t wander off and hurt himself or anyone else.
Keeping Your Loved One Safe From the Risk of Wandering
While you can take many steps around the home to prevent wandering, such as installing locks on the door that he cannot operate or putting alarms on windows and doors, one of the best ways to keep your loved one safe is to have 24-hour home care. With 24-hour home care, a team of caregivers is responsible for always being in the home with your loved one. Since they do not reside in the home, they will work in shifts and someone will always be in the home and alert so that any signs of possible wandering can be managed right away and your loved one can be kept safe in his home while being redirected away from his desire to wander.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care in Carencro, LA, please contact the caring staff at BrightCare Homecare today. Call (337) 279-5466
BrightCare Homecare is a top provider of home care services in Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, Opelousas, Sunset, Crowley, Abbeville, Scott, Cecilia, Port Barre, Lota, and the surrounding areas.
Through a personalized care plan, BrightCare Homecare provides the necessary services and care to cater to your unique personal and health needs. With us, we ensure around-the-clock services and supervision to help achieve optimum health and wellness.
We are a top provider of home care services in Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, Opelousas, Sunset, Crowley, Abbeville, Scott, Cecilia, Port Barre, Iota, and the surrounding areas.
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