A Place for Mom's Family

Wandering is a common, dangerous problem among seniors with more advanced dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Too often we hear of an elderly family member that has wandered away from their home, unable to remember their way back. This can get particularly dangerous in the winter months if that loved one wasn't appropriately dressed when they left home. What experiences have you seen? What solutions have you found?

This is a topic that we can't stress enough.  Currently in NJ there is a 64 yo man missing from his home.  This year we had at least two seniors wander off and they were found dead.  Families don't realize how important an issue this is and how they need to do something to protect their loved one!

A few years ago, a resident of a secured wing of a retirement community in northern state escaped.  Since it was winter, the temperatures were at or below freezing with snow.  The caregiver on duty had fallen asleep and did not hear the alarm as he left.  The nurses on the shift following the previous associate did apartment checks for the residents, and they discovered he was missing.  They looked all around the community--inside and out--and found his tracks in the snow leading to a wooded area.  The man was discovered wearing only thin pajamas, completely frozen.  After the staff checked the alarm times, they realized the man was outside for nearly 6 hours!  The caregiver, obviously, was terminated from her position.  The family was called about the death of their loved one, and they were completely appalled with the situation--not to mention grief-stricken. 

Education for communities, family members, caregivers, etc is vital.  Support groups, seminars, and literature are great ways to alert all involved of ways to avoid awful and terrifying situations, like the above example.  If a loved one is an elopement risk, I think we should educate families with regard to id bracelets.  Most of these bracelets, I believe, are available through Alzheimer's Associations throughout the country free of charge.  They are not beautiful, but they could definitely help if someone were to wander away from home.  It says on the bracelet that the person wearing it is memory imparied.  It also lists an 800 number on it to call if the person is lost.  The agency called pulls up the information for that person, and they notify the family or loved ones of his or her whereabouts.  It is an extremely helpful tool.   

While in most communities there are alarm systems in place for wandering residents, I believe that it is imperative for automatic locking doors.  I have been in communities where it is far too easy for wanderers to escape.  I hope that in the future, it is mandatory for all dementia residents to wear tracking bracelets.  I know it may seem like an invasion, but it would allow family members and caregivers to have peace of mind

Solutions:

First of all, contact your local Alzheimer's Association and register your loved one in the Safe Return program.  This provides your loved one with a ID bracelet that will help to facilitate your loved one's return if he/she should wander from home.

Second, the best way to deter wandering is to find ways to keep your loved one occupied.  Communities specializing in dementia care are successful in keeping residents safe not so much because their buildings are secure, but because they have specialized programming that keep the residents involved.  If your loved one is at home, plan out activities of interest throughout the day.  If mom always kept an immaculate house, then keep her involved in household chores such as folding laundry, dusting, sweeping, etc.  She may not be able to do these tasks appropriately, but keep in mind that the goal is to keep her busy so she is not focused on leaving the house or simply wandering around trying to find something to do.  Tasks can be as simple as having your loved one sort a deck of cards into a red stack and a black stack.  This may keep your loved one occupied for 20 minutes or so.  The key is to find tasks that are meaningful or related to current/past interest. 

 

 

 This is a concern for me as well. Great ideas here, but what about those living at home and I am her caregiver? My mother wanders at night on occasions and I'm not sleeping soundly because of this. Do I need to sleep on the couch so I can be ready to hear her go out the door? I'm looking for resolutions here. Thank you again for posting this concern.  

Hi, Rainbow Painter -

I hear your concern about your mom wandering at night. Have you looked at putting an alarm on the front door? You can find these inexpensive alarms (about $15) at most stores with a hardware department. This would give you some peace of mind at night and maybe you would sleep sounder. It might not hurt to keep the alarm activated during the day as well.

In case mom were to wander away, the Safe Return through the Alzheimer's Association is a great resource! I know where I live in Oregon this program has helped return many seniors to their loved ones quickly at unharmed.  www.alz.org/we_can_help_medicalert_safereturn.asp 

My best to you.

I agree with all the posts.  Memory care and working with families dealing with such is my passion.  Keeping your loved one engaged and active during "waking hours" is key to a good night's sleep.  I know I sleep better after a hard day of work and other activity.

I know there are lots of great books out there but I suggest to families (all the time) Alzheimer's:  The Person Within.  It can be purchased at amazon.com and located easily by searching the author's name.  I have seen Linda Marie Hemm (the author) in action and it's amazing! It's a very basic and elementary approach to the disease progression and super easy to read and use everyday as a caregiver for someone with memory loss.

These are wonderful ideas and recommendations for this scarey and sometimes heart wrenching event. I will certainly look into these and hopefully find some peace of mind along the way. Thank you.  

Just a suggestion without knowing your exact situation.  There are very cost-effective "alarms" that you can put on windows and doors that will alarm when they are opened.  You can find them at your local hardware store.  They are easy to install and do not cost a lot.  If the door your concerned about happens to be some distance from your bedroom, set a baby monitor next to it with the receiving end in your room.  You'll hear the alarm go off and have enough time to get to your loved one before they are in harms way.  Oh yeah, and you'll be able to sleep better :)

Wendy Grassano, Eldercare Advisor

A Place for Mom

Toll-free 866-344-0115

 

One family I spoke with had installed a "driveway alarm" that sounds an alarm when the beam is broken.  They had actually installed the alarm within the home so the family member had access to her bedroom, hallway and bathroom, but if she tried to wander out of that area the alarm went off.  The alarm within the home allowed the caregiver to sleep peacefully, but also allowed the family member with dementia the ability to roam in a restricted safe area at night, going to the bathroom etc. without interrupting the caregiver's sleep.

Silver Alerts may now help wandering adults. Similar to Amber Alerts for children, Silver Alerts may be helpful in finding elderly people who wander away from home.

Watch "Good Morning America" video: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4384977

Enroll individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia into MedicAlert + Safe Return program: http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_medicalert_safereturn.asp

 

 Some Helpful Information:

 

 

Introduction

It is common for a person with dementia to wander and become lost; many do repeatedly. In fact, over 60 percent of those with dementia will wander at some point.

Wandering can be dangerous - even life threatening - for the person who wanders. The stress can weigh heavily on caregivers and family.

Keep your loved one safe by knowing the risk factors for wandering and enrolling in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return®, our 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia that wander or who have a medical emergency. You can't know when wandering will happen, but you'll know what to do when it does.

What is wandering?

Many people with dementia do not fit the textbook definition of wandering, "To move about without a definite destination or purpose."

People with dementia who wander often have a purpose or goal in mind. They may be searching for something that is lost or trying to fulfill a former job responsibility.

Who's at risk?

Everyone is at risk for wandering. However, a person may be at risk for wandering if he or she:

• Returns from a regular walk or drive later than usual

• Tries to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work

• Tries or wants to "go home" even when at home

• Is restless, paces or makes repetitive movements

• Has difficulty locating familiar places like the bathroom, bedroom or dining room

• Checks the whereabouts of familiar people

• Acts as if doing a hobby or chore, but nothing gets done (moves around pots and dirt without actually planting anything)

• Appears lost in a new or changed environment

Causes

Wandering can be caused by several factors, including:

• Medication side effects

• Stress

• Confusion related to time

• Restlessness

• Agitation

• Anxiety

• Inability to recognize familiar people, places and objects

• Fear arising from the misinterpretation of sights and sounds

• Desire to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work or looking after a child

Tips to reduce wandering

• Encourage movement and exercise to reduce anxiety, agitation and restlessness

• Ensure all basic needs are met (toileting, nutrition, thirst)

• Involve the person in daily activities, such as folding laundry or preparing dinner

• Place color-matching cloth over doorknobs to camouflage

• Redirect pacing or restless behavior

• Place a mirror near doorways. The reflection of a person's own face will often stop him or her from exiting the door.

• Reassure the person if he or she feels lost, abandoned or disoriented

Tips to protect a loved one from wandering and getting lost

• Enroll the person in MedicAlert + Safe Return.

• Inform your neighbors and local emergency responders of the person’s condition and keep a list of their names and telephone numbers.

• Keep your home safe and secure by installing deadbolt or slide-bolt locks on exterior doors and limiting access to potentially dangerous areas. Never lock the person with dementia in a home without supervision.

• Be aware that the person may not only wander by foot but also by car or by other modes of transportation.

Tips for preparing for emergencies

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and addresses of the local police and fire departments, hospitals, and poison control as well as the MedicAlert + Safe Return emergency response number. 

• Keep a list of physicians phone numbers and current medications (with dosages)

• Keep copies of legal documents (living will, power of attorney, etc.)

• Check fire extinguishers and smoke alarms

 

Thank you Laura!   This article offers some great tips and concrete action steps to use to cope with and, hopefully, prevent wandering  I'm certain that this information will be very helpful to many families who are caring for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer's. 

 

My Dad has been getting up at night and once the back door had been opened. He is 86 and my Mom is 87. She is hard of hearing so she wakes up during the night to check on him. I decided to have dead bolts installed on their front and back door. My Mom will keep the key on a chain around her neck and that will be the only way to open the doors. Hopefully that will help keep him inside during the night. That was the only solution I could come up with, hope it works...

Our family also has had issues with wandering. I am a nurse and I am trying to keep care cost at a minimum so I have invested in some cheap products that may help you and your family.

In the diseases of Alzheimer"s and dementia the memory is the main disfunction, so if you put a small hinderance in their way they will forget about going that direction or won"t be able to figure out the hinderence.

I have used the child proof door handles, easy for us but not with pt"s with dementia.

I have used the kid bedrails to remind the family member not to get out of bed at night. Although with theri strength they could just push them, they forget how.

I have also used child/pet gates to block any type of steps or room you do not want that family in for safety reasons.

It is also possible to get an alarm system that talks to you when the doors are opened, but you do not have to pay monitoring fee, making it more reasonable financilay.

Hope this helps