Introduction to Wandering
Wandering refers to moving about without having a definite place to go or a purpose. Over 60% of people with diseases that cause dementia, or memory and thinking problems (like Alzheimer’s Disease), will wander at some point. A person who wanders may:
- Be restless.
- Pace back and forth.
- Show repetitive movements.
- Walk around their house, yard or neighborhood.
- Be aimless or busy but not productive.
Even people with only mild dementia can have this problem and it’s sometimes harder to deal with because they can still do many things normally.
A person with dementia may have a reason to wander that is not obvious to you, the observer. For example, a person will become agitated because they cannot remember what they want to do so they walk around hoping that will help them remember.
Wandering may develop in response to a physical illness or emotional problem. Wandering may also just be a symptom of the person’s dementia. If you care for a person who wanders, this lesson will help you sort out these issues.
Left unrestricted and unsupervised, wandering can be dangerous. It is important to know the warning signs that tell you a person may begin to wander. This lesson will also give you suggestions for reducing wandering and for keeping the person you care for safe.
Here is Ellen’s story:
When my Mom died unexpectedly, everyone agreed that my dad, who has Alzheimer’s, should come live at my house and start going to an adult day care program. He seems to really like it there. But while we waited for the shuttle to come pick him up to take him there, he started roaming around the house and seemed upset. Occasionally he mutters something about his keys or brief case. The nurse at the adult day care center helped me understand that Dad is getting used to a new environment and new routine. She said he might be trying to figure out what he’s supposed to do or that my getting ready for work makes him think he needs to get ready for work, too. So now we give him some old keys and a brief case and he is content, waiting for the bus to take him to “work.”