Oct 6, 2009 3:00 PM CST

Wandering

Wandering is relatively common in patients with middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They often have an urge that they must go somewhere. However, due to their memory impairment they run the risk of getting lost. For the caregiver this can at times be nerve racking and quite stressful. Below are some facts and tips that can help you cope with a wandering loved one.

Environmental factors that can lead to wondering:

Loud noises or a lot of distractions
Lack of stimulation can lead to boredom.
Being in a new environment

What you can do: Try to find a quiet place for them, but not one devoid of any stimulation either. Keeping them entertained by giving them a task, such as folding clothes can give them a sense of belonging as well as decrease wandering. When being placed in a new environment, it is important to provide constant reassurance that they are safe and remind them of where they are.

Psychological causes for wandering:

Hallucinations
Depression

What you can do: hallucinations are not uncommon in people with Alzheimer’s disease. When this occurs try to gently calm them down, agitation only makes it worse. If they experience hallucinations, it is important to talk to your doctor as this could be a side effect of their medications.

Other common causes:

Hunger
Thirst
Need to use the bathroom

If the wandering seems to be purposeful (i.e. they appear to be looking for something), then the wandering might be due to them needing something. This is especially common for those taking blood pressure medications that increase urinary frequency. They might be looking for the bathroom but can't remember where it is.

Preventative measures:

Investing in locks for doors and windows that require a key is useful
Try to keep your loved ones environment as familiar as possible
Keeping your loved one entertained
Purchasing a ID bracelet with the persons name and an emergency contact number in the event they are found by someone else.
Project Life Saver: consists of a small watch sized device worn on the wrist. It contains a small transmitter that can be tracked in the event they become lost. This is available through Alzheimer’s Family Services.