Articles

Preventing your dementia client from wandering

21/12/2016

Statistics show that six out of ten people with dementia are prone to wander, and bearing in mind that as carers, a vast percentage of our clients have dementia, it stands to reason that sometime we will be with a client who has dementia and likes to wander. If we go into the reasons for wandering, we will see that in the mind of the person with dementia, they are not just aimlessly wandering. They started to do something and then forgot what it was, thus leaving them trying to work out what it is they were doing or where they were going. To any person this looks like wandering, but to the person with dementia, they had a specific purpose in mind. That being said, it is a problem if your client manages to go outside by themselves and walk off. They can walk a long way in just a few minutes and you will have no idea where to start looking! There are some things that we can do to either prevent them from wandering away, or – if they do – get them home safely.

- Try to determine when they start to wander. Is it after breakfast or just before lunch? Plat when they get restless and want to get going. This will give you an idea of how to arrange your day.

- Plan activities which coincide with the time they want to wander. If they normally wander right after breakfast, plan an outing in the car to a garden centre perhaps. Distraction is the key here. Trying to break the routine. In their mind, they may be heading off to drop the children at school as they did many years ago. Change the routine for them.

- Avoid going to places that are too noisy. People with Dementia do not normally feel comfortable with noise and will try to seek a quiet spot. Busy streets and shopping malls are the worst places because of the noise and activity. Your client will want to head for a quiet spot. Better to avoid them in the first place.

- Never leave a person with dementia alone, even at home. You cannot just pop out to pick up a loaf of bread and expect them to be in the same place! If you need shopping, ask a neighbour or family member, but never leave them alone. They will not be where you left them on your return!

- Keep keys to doors out of sight. Also, keep car keys put of sight. They may have always gone shopping on a Thursday morning, and they will try to do it again!

- Watch door latches. Remember that public toilets are new to them, they may get inside and bolt the latch and then forget how to unbolt it. You do not want to have to go and get assistance while your client is distraught and trapped in a public toilet! Rather go in with them to make sure you both get out again!

- Should your client wander at night, you may try to use a pressure mat at the bed which will alert you to when they get up. Night activity is particularly hard for carers, and if this becomes a regular event, then you should speak to your agency and family about getting night relief.

- For a client that does get out it is a good idea to have some sort of ID bracelet with name and contact details. Even a card with next of kin and address is good. Anything which will give someone a clue as to identity of the wanderer will help.

It is a very frightening thought that our client may wander of and get lost. Unfortunately, it can easily happen. You should alert neighbours to the fact that this may happen. With a small amount of preparation, wandering may be reduced or eliminated altogether.