We get “Silver Alert” notifications on our phones when someone with Alzheimer’s disease wanders away from their home. If you’re brave enough to read the comments on news and social media sites, there’s always at least one comment that says, “they should have done a better job watching them.” If it was only that simple.
I never thought wandering was something Gayle would experience because I was with her 24/7, but it happened right in front of me. I watched her demeanor shift as she took off out of the house. I ran behind her as she walked into the middle of one of Houston’s busiest streets. Fortunately, with the assistance of our neighbor, I was able to get her home safely.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 6 in 10 individuals with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point. Wandering does not equate to an inattentive care partner, but occurs for a multitude of reasons:
- Following past routines, such as going to or leaving work, picking up children from school / sports activities, going to the grocery store.
- Fear or uncertainty of an unfamiliar place.
- Searching for something or someone, such as past family members or friends.
- Looking for the bathroom, food, or wants time outside.
- As the disease affects visual guidance and navigation, they may get lost in familiar places.
- Changes in medications.
- Delirium is an abrupt change in the brain that causes increased confusion and emotional disruption.
Research has also shown wanderers usually go in the direction of their dominant hand or in the direction of the sun or light.
Tips to Prevent Wandering
Not all wandering is harmful if your loved one is in a safe and controlled environment, such as within your home or yard. Wandering becomes dangerous if your loved one leaves their home, especially in extreme temperatures, or if they wander to a secluded area.
If you begin to experience your loved one wandering, keep a log that includes:
- Day of the week
- Time of day
- What activity were they doing prior to wandering.
- If you see them walk out of their familiar surroundings, note what they were doing and the direction they went.
As you begin to identify the times wandering occurs, plan meaningful activities to keep your loved one engaged. If they consistently want to go outside at 4:30 pm, plan daily walks at that time. If your loved one wants to “go home”, avoid telling them they are already home. Validate their feelings as they may be feeling scared, abandoned, or disoriented. Provide reassurance they are safe and try and engage them in a comforting activity.
Increased stimulation can often become overwhelming to the person with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, so it’s best to avoid busy or crowded places. Also make sure there is not a lot of stimulation at home. Multiple sources of input can cause increased anxiousness and agitation. Additional safety precautions include:
- Having someone at home with your loved one at all times. Please don’t leave your loved one alone in the car.
- Various alert devices let you know your loved one is attempting to leave your home. Options include:
- Pressure-sensitive alarm mats placed at the doors or bedside.
- Covers over doorknobs.
- Door alarms that chime when a door is opened.
- Sliding bolt locks placed high on front and back doors (out of their sight line).
- Removable curtains over doors.
- Hide the car keys, regardless of whether they are still driving.
Returning Safely Home
We recommend enrollment in the MedicAlert + Safe Return program with the Alzheimer’s Association. If an individual with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost, care partners can call the 24-hour emergency response line to report it. A community support network is activated, including local Alzheimer’s Association chapters and law enforcement agencies, to help with safe return. This enhanced service provides critical medical information to emergency responders. To get more information and to enroll for the MedicAlert + Safe Return program, please call 1-888-572-8566 or register online at: medicalert.org/safereturn.