Wandering is a part of dementia, and 3 out of 5 people with dementia, will wonder according to the National Administration of Aging.
Wandering can be very dangerous, this is caused by their cognitive decline, and the wandering is a result of them trying to find a place or a person.
It can be very dangerous for seniors who wander, about 50% of all seniors who wander will suffer from a fall, and sustain an injury, according to the International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry.
There are technologies and strategies that can help to reduce dementia wondering, and here are 2 tips to help to reduce wondering with a dementia care plan.
In the memory care home, they will do activities, to slow down dementia, there is no cure, but it can be managed better in a memory care environment.
What Causes Wandering?
Dementia and Alzheimer’s causes the part of the brain that controls the memory. Recent memories and spatial recall, which is the ability to remember and recall different locations or where something is, or what they are in relation to, is the first part of cognitive decline, according to the National Institute Of Aging.
Dementia causes confusion and disorientation, so seniors with dementia want to escape the situation, they can become lost, and do not remember what happened, so they begin to wonder, not sure of what they are looking for.
Emotional distress, anxiety, and confusion will cause dementia wandering, along with medical conditions, and a need to complete takes, this can lead to the senior feeling very confused and disorientated.
Things That Lead to Wandering
When seniors have dementia they will try to follow their old routines, and they will become disorientated, the things that they used to do, will now become difficult and confusing, and this can lead to wondering.
Some seniors who try to follow their old routines can become lost and disorientated, such as when driving home, or walking in their neighborhood, and their dementia condition can cause them to wonder.
With dementia looking for something or someone even if they are in their own home, they can become lost. Disorientation can happen at any time, even in their own home.
A senior with dementia or early forms of dementia, should not look after a child by themselves, even going to the supermarket, can lead the senior to get confused.
Wandering And The Emotional Causes
Wandering usually happens when a senior is agitated and confused, it can also happen from overstimulation and overwhelming situations.
For seniors with dementia, wandering can happen when they are in a crowded location, or they are in an unfamiliar location. this fear and confusion can cause them to wander.
Seniors with dementia do not do well with overstimulation, it can make them want to escape the situation, and look for a quiet location.
When a senior becomes frustrated, if they cannot communicate, they can become frustrated, this can also lead seniors with dementia to wander.
Physical Decline Can Cause Wandering
Dementia can cause physical decline, as well as their memory, eyesight, and mobility can all be affected. Dementia affects the brain, and it can hinder eyesight, there are 7 stages of dementia.
Bad eyesight, can also cause seniors with dementia to use alternative routes, this can lead them to get confused easily and get lost.
In the late stages of dementia, the eyesight can become very limited, so it is difficult for them to distinguish between 2 and 3 dimension objects and pictures. This can confuse them and become lost easily.
In the late stages of dementia, they will lose their mobility, they will not be able to walk, or get in and out of the bed. Falling can become a much greater risk in this stage.
Night Wandering With Dementia
As dementia gets worse, the seniors will spend more time sleeping, and they will spend more time sleeping during the day, and when they are awake and restless during the night.
Wandering can happen at night if they are uncomfortable, hungry, or need to go to the bathroom, they can get out of bed and become disorientated, and begin to wander.
According to the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, say that seniors with dementia bodies regulate their temperature differently.
The frontal and temporal lobes are the part of the brain that processes the body’s temperature and pain, with dementia has deteriorated. When a senior gets out of bed, they can start to wander and become lost easily.
Seniors that have dementia their natural internal processes experience more drastic changes, the disruption in circadian rhythms can make dementia patients wide awake at night. When they are awake, they become bored, get out of bed and wander.
Who Will Wander
Any senior who has dementia has the potential to wander, it is important to be aware of what can happen, and what are the warning signs.
If the senior is talking about going to work, or wanting to go home, when they are home are signs that wandering might happen.
Becoming agitated, repeating themselves, or pacing up and down. behaving oddly in public and crowded public places.
If they are forgetting directions or not remembering the way to a familiar place, or repeating the directions during the trip.
Getting lost within their own home, not being able to find their own bedroom. Or if they are having difficulty with an everyday task.
Preventing Wandering
Wandering at night is a problem for seniors with dementia, it also does not help when they’re suffering from Sundown syndrome.
Sleep aid products can help the seniors to sleep through the night, ask your doctor if they can subscribe to something to help them.
Having night lights to help the seniors at night, if they need to go to the bathroom, also makes sure that there are no trip hazards.
Bed alarms are useful if the seniors get out of bed. make sure that all the doors and windows are locked, making sure that the home is secure, and that they cannot get out of the house.
Minimize naps during the day, so they will be able to sleep through the night, and have mind stimulating activities for them.
Memory Care Homes Help With Dementia Wandering
It can be unsafe for seniors to live in homes who are suffering from dementia and are wandering, memory care homes are designed to help all seniors with dementia, limit their wondering, and keep them safe.
The memory care home will provide 24-hour care for seniors with all types of dementia. These communities will also help with their cognitive health, and help to maintain their brain functions.
Loving Assisted Living will help you to find the right home, the right food for the brain, and the right care for your loved one, so there will be no guesswork involved on what would be the best home for your loved one.
Contact us today, we will answer all of your questions, and give you a selection of the best memory care home near to you, within our referral network.