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Understanding Wandering in Alzheimer's: Causes and Prevention Strategies, Schemes and Mind Maps of Nursing

Insights into the reasons behind wandering in people with alzheimer's disease, including searching for something, escaping from something, and reliving the past. It also suggests preventive measures such as addressing potential triggers, providing visual cues, and planning activities. Additionally, it discusses the importance of ensuring enough exercise and recognizing behaviors that often precede wandering.

What you will learn

  • What are the common reasons for wandering in people with Alzheimer's?
  • What are some behaviors that often precede wandering in people with Alzheimer's?
  • How can caregivers prevent wandering in people with Alzheimer's?

Typology: Schemes and Mind Maps

2021/2022

Uploaded on 09/27/2022

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ubimaiorminorcessat 🇺🇸

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Understanding wandering
More than 60 percent of people who have Alzheimer's wander at some point, according to the
Alzheimer's Association. Often, someone who's wandering is:
Searching for something. Wanderers are often looking for something or someone familiar,
especially if they recently moved to a new environment. In other cases, wanderers are trying to
satisfy a basic need, such as hunger or thirst but they've forgotten what to do or where to go.
Many wanderers are looking for a bathroom.
Escaping from something. Sometimes wandering is a result of stress, anxiety or too much
stimulation, such as multiple conversations in the background or even the noise of pots and
pans in the kitchen. In other cases, restlessness or wandering is a reaction to pain.
Reliving the past. If wandering occurs at the same time every day, it may be linked to a lifelong
routine. For example, a woman who tries to leave the nursing home every day at 5 p.m. may
believe she's going home from work.
In other cases, wandering is triggered by medication side effects.
Preventing wandering
If you're caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's, use simple strategies to curb wandering:
Address potential triggers. Offer your loved one a snack, a glass of water or use of the
bathroom. Encourage physical activity to curb restlessness and promote better sleep. If you
think your loved one is looking for something familiar, provide a family photo album or share
favorite memories.
Provide visual cues. People who have Alzheimer's often forget where they are, even inside their
own homes. It might help to post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the
bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Encourage your loved one to explore his or her immediate
environment as often as necessary.
Plan activities and other distractions. If your loved one tends to wander at the same time every
day, a planned activity at that hour could stem the wandering. It might be as simple as asking
the person to fold a basket of towels or put place mats on the table for dinner. If wandering
outdoors is an issue, you may want to store coats, boots and keys out of sight.
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Understanding wandering

More than 60 percent of people who have Alzheimer's wander at some point, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Often, someone who's wandering is:

  • Searching for something. Wanderers are often looking for something or someone familiar, especially if they recently moved to a new environment. In other cases, wanderers are trying to satisfy a basic need, such as hunger or thirst — but they've forgotten what to do or where to go. Many wanderers are looking for a bathroom.
  • Escaping from something. Sometimes wandering is a result of stress, anxiety or too much stimulation, such as multiple conversations in the background or even the noise of pots and pans in the kitchen. In other cases, restlessness or wandering is a reaction to pain.
  • Reliving the past. If wandering occurs at the same time every day, it may be linked to a lifelong routine. For example, a woman who tries to leave the nursing home every day at 5 p.m. may believe she's going home from work.

In other cases, wandering is triggered by medication side effects.

Preventing wandering

If you're caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's, use simple strategies to curb wandering:

  • Address potential triggers. Offer your loved one a snack, a glass of water or use of the bathroom. Encourage physical activity to curb restlessness and promote better sleep. If you think your loved one is looking for something familiar, provide a family photo album or share favorite memories.
  • Provide visual cues. People who have Alzheimer's often forget where they are, even inside their own homes. It might help to post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Encourage your loved one to explore his or her immediate environment as often as necessary.
  • Plan activities and other distractions. If your loved one tends to wander at the same time every day, a planned activity at that hour could stem the wandering. It might be as simple as asking the person to fold a basket of towels or put place mats on the table for dinner. If wandering outdoors is an issue, you may want to store coats, boots and keys out of sight.

Is the Person with Dementia Getting Enough Exercise?

Those with dementia may wander because of their need for physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends 30-40 minutes of moderate daily activities unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider. Examples of moderate activities include:

  • Walking
  • Playing shuffleboard
  • Gardening
  • Housework
  • Dancing

Behaviors That Often Precede Wandering

Two behaviors that typically occur before wandering are pacing and disorientation. If a person with dementia has a need, he is often unable to verbalize that need and will exhibit a sudden change in behavior instead. Check for clues that may indicate an unmet need.

  • Ensure that appropriate fluids are offered at regular intervals throughout the day.
  • She may be hungry if a mealtime is near.
  • He may pull at clothing if needing to use the toilet.
  • Check to see that clothing is suitable for the environmental temperature.
  • Consider pain medication if appropriate.
  • Providing a calm, predictable, and relaxed atmosphere may decrease anxiety.
  • Sudden increased disorientation, or delirium, may indicate an infection or medication reaction, so notify the healthcare provider if the change in behavior persists or is cyclic.

Watch for Patterns of Wandering in People with Alzheimer’s

Many people with Alzheimer’s disease have a pattern to their behaviors. By watching for patterns, caregivers may be able to distract the person with specific activities at those times. Watch for triggers in addition to physical needs above, such as the time of day and environmental changes. Many people with dementia tend to become increasingly agitated in the transition between daylight and darkness, a condition known as Sundowners syndrome. A new or change in a familiar environment may result in increased agitation – it is helpful to introduce changes slowly if possible. For example, brief visits to a future home or with a new caregiver may be helpful to help prepare for the change. If the behavior seems to be related to medications, immediately notify her healthcare provider.