Senior Issues: Common Types of Alzheimer’s Wandering

Here are common types of Alzheimer’s wandering and why you need to watch them closely. Because if you don’t keep an eye on your elderly loved one, they will be much more likely to wander. 

Common types of Alzheimer’s wandering

With that being said, it might be helpful to learn more about the common types of wandering with Alzheimer’s disease. If you don’t think you can keep a close eye on your elderly loved one, you can find 24/7 in-home care services with professional caregivers to help out with this. 

Leaving Their House

One of the things that many people with Alzheimer’s disease does is leave their own house. When they have this disease, they are more likely to get lost, even in their own neighborhood. Your elderly loved one might wander out of their home and begin walking (with no idea of where they are going). They can do this during the day or the night. They can do it in the sunshine or in a storm. This is just one of the reasons why it is important to have someone watching over them. If you are unable to be there, don’t worry. You can hire caregivers to help with this.  

Imagine your loved one with Alzheimer’s pulling a sneaky exit, leaving home or a watched space without giving a heads-up. This type, called elopement wandering, can be a real adventure for them but a worry for you, as they might get confused or encounter risky situations outside.

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Wandering Away from You 

Another one of the things that your elderly loved one might do is wander away from you. For instance, if you are at the park or the store with them, they might wander away. If you even take your eyes off them for a minute or two, they could get away from you. Be sure you are paying attention to your elderly loved one if you bring them into a public area. If you need extra help when going into public with your loved one, customizing your companion care services for the elderly can give you the extra eyes and hands you need.

You might find them roaming restlessly  strolling back and forth in a room or hallway with no clear destinatio.n. That’s ambulatory wandering for you. It’s like they’ve got an invisible path to follow. Keeping a watchful eye is key to prevent any accidental bumps or falls during these wandering walks.

Sometimes you might also find them lethargically wandering in a laid-back, aimless amble. While it might not seem urgent, it’s crucial to keep a close eye to understand why they’re moving this way. It could be linked to tiredness or a need for more stimulation. So, it’s like being their companion detective, figuring out the clues to ensure their happiness and safety.

Wandering In Their Head Space

Picture your loved one going on a journey, not in the real world, but in their own mind. Fantasy wandering happens when they act out scenes from their imagination. They might believe they’re on a trip or reliving a moment from the past. It’s a bit like joining them on a fantastical adventure, and it requires constant attention to keep them safe.

Getting Lost When Visiting Friends 

If your elderly loved one likes to visit friends, it might be necessary for you or one of their caregivers to stay with them. There are many people with this disease who have wandered away when visiting friends. If your elderly loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, you should either stay with them at their friend’s home or put a GPS tracking watch on them. This can help you find them, if they do happen to wander away. 

Here are some reasons why you need to keep watch if they’re prone to Alzheimer’s wandering

Preventing Accidents: Individuals with Alzheimer’s may engage in wandering, increasing the risk of accidents such as falls, trips, or collisions. Close supervision helps minimize these risks and ensures immediate assistance if needed.

Avoiding Getting Lost: Alzheimer’s can impair spatial awareness and memory, making those affected more prone to getting lost, even in familiar surroundings. Continuous monitoring helps prevent them from wandering into unfamiliar or unsafe areas.

Ensuring Medication Adherence: Forgetfulness is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s, and individuals may forget to take their medications or take the wrong doses. Close observation ensures proper medication adherence, promoting their overall health.

Preventing Disorientation: People with Alzheimer’s may experience disorientation, which can be distressing and lead to further confusion. Regular supervision helps provide reassurance and guidance, reducing disorienting situations.

Minimizing Agitation and Anxiety: Wandering can be triggered by feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or confusion. Keeping a close eye on individuals with Alzheimer’s allows caregivers to identify and address the underlying causes, minimizing agitation and promoting a calmer environment.

Ensuring Personal Safety: Wandering individuals may encounter various hazards, such as traffic, uneven terrain, or inclement weather. Close monitoring helps ensure their personal safety by preventing them from wandering into potentially dangerous situations.

Timely Response to Basic Needs: Individuals with Alzheimer’s may struggle to communicate their basic needs. Close observation enables caregivers to identify cues for hunger, thirst, or discomfort promptly, ensuring timely responses to their essential requirements and promoting overall well-being.

Dealing with wandering behavior in folks with dementia is a real puzzle.

These wanderers might end up in risky situations, from minor scrapes to some seriously bad stuff like accidents and even death. It’s tough to pin down exactly how common this wandering is, thanks to different definitions and study groups.

The risk of wandering is closely tied to how severe the dementia is, the person’s mobility, how worn out their caregiver is, and if they’re dealing with agitation or psychotic symptoms. So, it’s crucial to assess the risk for all dementia patients who are a bit shaky on their daily activities.

When it comes to prevention, we’re talking mostly non-drug approaches. The first step is educating everyone involved – the patient, the caregiver, and even the folks working at nursing homes and daycare centers.

If non-drug methods don’t cut it, then maybe consider some meds, but be careful. There’s not much solid proof that gadgets like electronic trackers really help, and before you slap those on, think about privacy and decision-making ability.

Wandering behavior is a real headache in dementia care, leading to falls, injuries, and even disappearing acts. Figuring out the best ways to assess and prevent this wandering is still a work in progress.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering a In Home Caregiver in Philadelphia, PA please contact the caring staff at Correct Choice Home Care today at (267) 323-1700. 

Sources:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/wandering-and-alzheimers-disease