With many neurodegenerative conditions, the patient will wander. There are many things that can cause wandering. If your elderly loved one has been walking away while you are at the store with them or while their elderly care provider has them at the doctor, this is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is important to figure out why your elderly loved one is wandering. After figuring out the reason, you can make a plan to stop or prevent the wandering.
Unfortunately, no strategy will completely stop a senior with dementia from attempting to wander. Wandering remains a dangerous mystery, but there are prevention strategies and ways to reduce the risk factors that wandering brings.
Being Hungry or Thirsty
One reason why many elderly people with these conditions wander is that they are hungry or thirsty. If your elderly loved one has a neurodegenerative condition, their brain is changed. They might not be able to express to you or their elderly care providers that they are hungry or thirsty. They may be trying to go to get something to eat or drink. It is important to offer your elderly loved one something to eat or drink regularly throughout the day. This way their hunger and thirst are always satisfied.
Getting Too Hot or Cold
Your elderly loved one might be wandering because they are too hot or cold, as well. As previously mentioned, people with these conditions can’t properly express how they are feeling or what they need, especially after their condition worsens. With that being noted, you should always pay attention to the temperature outside and inside your elderly loved one’s home. You should do your best to keep their home at a temperature you know they are comfortable with. When they are outside, do your best to make sure they are dressed for the weather.
Feeling Bored or Lonely
Wandering often happens due to boredom and loneliness, as well. What has your elderly loved one been doing? Are they occupied enough? Do they need more activities or tasks to do so that they don’t get bored? Is your elderly loved one feeling lonely? If so, you may want to have them join a senior center. This way they can spend time with people their age regularly.
These are just some reasons why many elderly people wander. If your elderly loved one has wandered away from you or their elderly care providers, you should figure out why this is happening. Once you do, you can help to prevent it from happening in the future.
Sources: https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/triage/BH-Brief-WanderingExit-Seeking.pdf