How to Respond to Wandering Attempts in Alzheimer's

What should you say or do if someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia is trying to wander away? For example, imagine that your father with dementia, who is living with you in your home, starts to pace around and try to go outside. Here are some practical approaches you may utilize in response.

5 Strategies to Employ:

1. Ask Him Questions In A Non-Threatening Manner
Ask him how you can help and where he's going. Perhaps he's just a bit restless and unsettled. Maybe he'll respond with an answer that will give you insight into what he's looking for or where he wants to go.

2. Don't Argue
It's almost universally not helpful to argue with someone with dementia who is intent on doing something. Arguing will likely increase his agitation because in his reality, what you're saying doesn't make any sense. Rather, just talk with him and validate3 his feelings. For example, if he is talking about needing to go to work, ask him about his job. You can ask him what he liked the most about his job, or talk about the benefits of retirement.

3. Remember Your Non-Verbals
If you're standing there with your hands on your hips and a frustrated look on your face, you'll have less success in persuading your loved one to do anything. The words that you speak may or may not make sense to him, but your body language will send clear messages to him. Speak in a calm tone of voice and smile. Be gentle, and if physical touch is something your dad is used to, a little pat on the shoulder or holding of his hand may reassure h

4. Distract
Distraction is often very effective. You can ask him to eat a bite of dinner before he leaves, for example. You could also let him know that he may need to return to his room to grab his sweater or jacket before he leaves. Perhaps there's a football game on tv you can flip on when he returns with his sweater. Or, you can remind him that his friend Joe may be stopping by to chat with him so he may want to stay home for his visit.

5. Walk With Him
If it's a nice day, take a break from what you're doing and go with him. I realize that the timing may not always be ideal, but perhaps he simply needs to go for a walk. Take your cell phone with you before you leave in case he's unwilling to come back home with you or is too tired to walk any further.

What if it's cold or raining out and your father still is agitated and determined to go outside?
Grab a jacket for both of you, go outside and walk with him. I've seen many people with Alzheimer's walk for a brief time outside, turn to their loved one who came out with them and say, "Let's go inside. It's cold out here!" Again, take your cell phone or notify someone that you're going for a walk with him.

(Sources: By Esther Heerema, About.com Guide, Updated December 01, 2011)

How To Control Alzheimer's Wandering

Alzheimer's disease causes sufferers to become disoriented, confused and afraid. The disease can erase memories of once-familiar surroundings, and as a result, Alzheimer's patients often wander away from home. In fact, the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 60% of Alzheimer's patients wander away from home. The stress can weigh heavily on caregivers and family.

It is not possible to completely prevent wandering in people with Alzheimer's and dementia, but caregivers can minimize the risk.

Here are some techniques to try:

1. Install Wandering-Prevention Locks
Install locks and escape prevention devices on doors, windows and gate. These products require complex maneuvers to open doors, thus making it difficult for Alzheimer's and dementia patients to leave. For example, if your loved one tends to unlock doors, install sliding bolt locks out of your loved one's line of sight.

2. Install Alarms
There are many wandering prevention alarms on the market that can alert you that your loved one is trying to get out. These devices include motion detectors, pressure-sensitive alarm mats at the door, and warning bells on doors.

3. Disguise Escape Routes
Camouflaging doors and windows inhibits the Alzheimer patient's ability to find a way out. Paint doors the same color as walls, or hang curtains on windows that match the color of walls, so they blend in with surroundings, and make them less visible.

4. Provide A Safe Place To Wander
Provide a safe place in your home or yard for walking or exploration — such as a path through the rooms of your house or a circular trail through a fenced backyard.

5. Use Visual Cues
People who have Alzheimer's often forget where they are, even inside their own homes. Visual reminders provide clues and trigger memories. For example, post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the bathroom, and kitchen. Even Stop signs at doors have been reported to help.

6. Look for Triggers and Plan Distractions
Many people with Alzheimer's disease have a pattern to their behaviors. Watch for triggers, such as a certain time of day. (Many people with Alzheimer's become agitated or fear just before or after sundown, known as Sundowner's syndrome) If your loved one tends to wander at the same time every day, a planned activity at that hour could stem the wandering.

7. Hide keys
In addition to wandering on foot, people with Alzheimer's might attempt to drive. Store and hide keys to cars and doors. Also, keep coats and shoes out of sight.

8. Warn Neighbors and Authorities
Caregivers often don't know their loved ones are missing before someone finds them. If neighbors are made aware of the situation, they can be on the look-out. Notify neighbors and police and make sure they have your contact information.

9. Use A Tracking Device
If your loved one wanders, a GPS or radio frequency device can help emergency personnel, find him or her quickly. The Alzheimer's patient wears a bracelet or ankle tracking device - a personal transmitter that tracks the person's location. Many communities have a program called Project Lifesaver, (link to Project Lifesaver article) to track and locate wanderers. Check with your police station to find out if a program is available in your area.

10. ID Bracelets
The Alzheimer's Association operates a nationwide identification system called Safe Return . The person with Alzheimer's wears an engraved ID bracelet or necklace with a phone number to call if they're found. Their name is entered into a national database, where anyone can call 24 hours a day.

11. Prepare for A Search
Keep a recent photo and detailed physical description of the person readily available. Also have medical and health information, and vehicle information on hand.

(Source: By Marlo Sollitto, Agingcare.com)

How-To Take the Stress Out of Getting Dressed with Dementia

Alzheimer's can turn even the simplest of tasks into great trials. In the middle and later stages of the disease, many people have difficulty dressing themselves.

Here are a few pointers to help simplify the task of helping a person with Alzheimer's get dressed.

1. Shop Together
If at all possible you should take the person with Alzheimer's disease when you shop for their clothes. Letting them select some of their favorite items will make the new clothes seem familiar and they will be more likely to wear them.

2. Buy Duplicates
If your parent often insists on wearing that "favorite outfit" constantly, consider buying several identical sets.

3. Look for Simplicity
Choose clothing that is easy to get on and off. Elastic waists and Velcro enclosures minimize struggles with buttons and zippers.

4. Give Them Choices
This can be tricky because a person with dementia can have trouble making decisions if there are too many options present. To avoid frustration and potential tantrums, give them a few choices, preferably no more than three. Lay out the clothes on a bed or dresser so the person with Alzheimer's can easily see them.

5. Give Them Time
Depending on how advanced the person's dementia is, it may take longer than normal for them to select their outfit and dress themselves. Be patient, and schedule enough time so that delays in the dressing process don't interfere with other plans.

6. Establish Order
Arrange the clothes in the order they are to be put on to help the person move through the process.

7. Be Positive and Open
Encouragement and compliments go a long way to helping a person with Alzheimer's disease feel content with their clothing choices. This includes supporting decisions that you may not necessarily agree with. As long as it doesn't endanger the elderly person, let them wear a dress to bed or a sweatshirt in warm weather.

(Source: By Anne-Marie Botek, 16 November 2011, Agingcare.com)