Making your home safe for ‘wandering’ seniors with dementia

Wandering is often caused by disorientation and confusion, both stemming from a bout with dementia (or Alzheimer’s disease).

Watch the video below to find out more:

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 6-out-of-10 people with dementia will wander from time to time.[1] With a stark decline in memory, families living with seniors with dementia should seriously consider addressing the risk of wandering happening to their loved one, particularly those who are still able to walk without assistance

Here are some things you can do to lessen the likelihood of a senior living with dementia becoming lost even within the vicinity of your family’s residence:

1) Never leave them unattended.

At home, always make sure that someone is looking after them.

2) Plan regular activities

Schedule them accordingly and try your best to follow your routine. Keep them occupied so that they won’t be easily bored and respond to random thoughts or ideas.

3) Avoid busy and crowded places

As much as possible, keep seniors with dementia away from places like the supermarket, shopping malls, or even places of worship where they may become easily confused or disoriented.

4) Keep locks and car keys safely and out of sight

Never let a senior loved one with dementia drive alone. Better yet, never let them have access to car keys if you can. Install locks at doors and windows out of their reach.

5) Install monitoring devices

Something as simple as a hanging bell on top of a door will help. If you can, better to install a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system to monitor entrance and exit points at home.

6) Keep others involved

Tell your friends and neighbors to alert you if they ever see your senior loved one wandering alone on the streets.

7) Store vital information in case of emergency

Is the person left-handed or right handed? Information as simple as this one can be a big help during times of searching as experts say that people with dementia who wander almost always follow the direction of their dominant hand.

It may also help to have your senior loved ones carry an identification card with them wherever they go. This makes searching for them a lot more manageable as people can easily contact you or anyone in your family in case your senior family user becomes lost.

Wandering among seniors with dementia is a real and serious matter. A helping hand who can provide professional in-home care for your loved one will always be a welcome service that we at GCS will be more than happy to offer.

[1]https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering

Making your home safe for ‘wandering’ seniors with dementia