Dementia Care

Guide On Symptoms Management

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Wandering

Wandering is common with anyone with dementia and it can occur to them at any stage of dementia. Although they may appear to be wandering aimlessly, they often have a specific reason for it.

Reasons for wandering:

  • Boredom
  • Due to stress and fear
  • To look for something
They may be looking for something or someone. They could have started by looking for something but forgotten what they were trying to do while they were walking.
  • Following past routines
  • Lost
For example, they might be unable to locate the toilet in the middle of the night.
  • Decline in judgement

Person with dementia will not know how to deal with getting lost as they can find it hard to evaluate the different factors that should be considered when making a decision. They might have trouble looking at the signs or to seek help from the police due to the loss of judgement.

It is counterproductive to try to stop the person who wants to move around and it is not possible to completely prevent wandering.

Care tips

  • Avoid confronting
This may upset the person with dementia as they are attempting to get somewhere. Try to accompany them for a short distance then divert their attention. If they are looking for something, try to help them look for it too.
  • Remove any potential hazards
Especially those that might make the person with dementia fall
Examples:
  • Wet surfaces (floor or counters) can be very dangerous. Consider providing non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower. Caregivers should also consider installing grab bars around the bathroom.
  • Remove rugs and wires that can cause falls
  • When there are stairs, it can be helpful to install gates to prevent falls and ensure the stairs is kept clear, as anything left on the stairs can become a trip and fall hazard.
  • Install motion sensor night lights between the bed and the toilet.
  • Make the doors less visible
This is known as an exit diversion to help relieve the frustration and anxiety experienced by some dementia exit seekers.
You can do that by:
  • placing removable curtains over the doors
  • match the surrounding walls to the door
  • place sign on doors
  • Attach a device or sensor at entrances
Devices or sensors that makes a sound when opening and closing at the entrance can alert the person with dementia and caregiver that they are going out
  • Safety measures
  • Provide the person with dementia contact information
Contact information about the caregivers could be written on the back of their clothes, the back of their collar, the side of their shoes, or provide them with a card with their contact information in their wallet or purse.
  • Using GPS-equipped devices
Encourage the person with dementia to wear it, put it in their clothes or a bag that they always carry.
  • Have a plan in place in case of an emergency
  • Alert neighbours, family members, and friends about their condition and keep their contact details when you need to call them for help.
  • Keep a most recent photo of the person with dementia – just in case you need to hand it into the police in an emergency.
  • Make sure the caregivers are listed as the emergency contact if the person with dementia has a mobile phone.
To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors
– Tia Walker –

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