Aging in place is often best for senior adults with Alzheimer's who may find moving to a new residence confusing and scary. While you know that caring for your loved one at home provides them with greater comfort, you also worry about their safety. Wandering is one challenging behavior that people with Alzheimer's can exhibit, and it is upsetting to think of your loved one managing to get out of the house without supervision. Fortunately, there are several strategies that you can use to reduce the risk of wandering.
Highlight the Way to the Bathroom
Seniors sometimes wander as a result of getting confused trying to find the bathroom at night. Always take your loved one to the restroom before they go to bed to reduce the likelihood of them getting up. Then, make it easier for them to find where they are going by lighting the path to the restroom. Some people also find it helpful to paint the door a special color that draws the senior's attention.
Keep Your Loved One Busy During the Day
Active seniors are less likely to wander because they are too busy to think about going anywhere else. Make sure that your loved one has plenty of activities to keep them occupied during the day. Encouraging physical activity such as going for a walk for doing senior yoga also helps them to be tired enough by bedtime that they will sleep through the night.
Provide Constant Care
There eventually comes a time when seniors with Alzheimer's need care 24-hours a day. This is often a challenge for families who need to go to work or tend to other responsibilities. When you cannot be there to watch over your loved one, look into Alzheimer's care services. Professional caregivers can stay overnight to make sure that your loved one does not manage to escape the house, and they use a compassionate approach that soothes seniors with dementia. Having someone nearby not only prevents wandering, but it also gives your loved one reassurance that they are safe.
Wandering is a challenging behavior that most caregivers eventually come across when they are helping their loved one with Alzheimer's. The good news is that most instances of wandering are preventable by using a few basic caregiving techniques. As you develop your loved one's care plan, remember that it is always best to look ahead to the future. Therefore, you will want to begin implementing measures that prevent wandering before your family experiences an incident.
