Wondering About Wandering In Older Adults

Wandering is common in older adults with memory disorders like Alzheimer's. More than half of all wanderers are likely to become lost whether they live with their families or in nursing homes, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

It's essential for families to understand why their parent wanders and what precautions they can take to prevent wandering and ensure his or her safety. Every year an estimated 127,000 older people wander away from their homes according to the Alzheimer's Association. If wanderers are not found within the first 24 hours after their disappearance they are likely to be seriously injured or dead. Wanderers can also suffer from falls or other injuries. Many wanderers – especially those with memory disorders -- are determined to leave what appears to them to be an unfamiliar, sometimes frightening environment. It's essential for families concerned about a parent's safety and well-being to understand why their relative wanders and to make every effort to keep their parent from straying.

WHY OLDER PEOPLE WANDER

Wandering often begins when an older person with a memory disorder moves to an unfamiliar environment like a caregiver's home or a nursing home. He may forget that he is no longer in his own home. In strange surroundings he or she becomes confused, agitated, anxious or frightened and roams the house or nursing facility searching for the bathroom, the kitchen, or a familiar face. Certain medications, stress, boredom and anxiety can also cause can also cause agitation and restlessness.

STRATEGIES FOR SAFE WANDERING

Sixty percent of individuals with Alzheimer's disease wander away or get lost at sometime during their illness.

The Alzheimer's Association suggests strategies families can use to manage wandering behaviors and keep wanderers safe:

• Take walks with your relative to help reduce anxiety and restlessness. Exercise during the day will also help your parent sleep better at night.
• Involve your parent in household chores like sorting laundry, setting the table, pulling weeds to keep him active and occupied.
• Create indoor and outdoor wandering "trails" in a fenced-in backyard or around the house.
• Hide doors with curtains, paint or wallpaper that matches the wall. Install sliding bolt locks on outside or basement doors that high enough so your parent can't reach them.
• Explain to neighbors that your relative has a memory problem. Ask them to let you know if they see him outside alone.
• Some wanderers also try to drive. Hide the car keys where your relative can't find them or disable the car so it won't start.

SIGN UP FOR "SAFE RETURN"

The Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return program has developed a nationwide information and photo database of individuals with memory disorders. This database is available to law enforcement agencies across the country to help return people with Alzheimer's who have wandered away return to their caregivers. 

When someone with Alzheimer's enrolled in the program is found, an individual or law official calls the toll-free 24-hour emergency response number on the identification product and the individual's family or caregivers are contacted.

WATCHING OVER WANDERERS

As a caregiver it is unlikely that you will be able to stop your family member from rambling. You worry that he or she may get lost or injured while wandering and do as much as you can to keep him safe. The next time your parent puts on his "wandering shoes" lace yours up too and join him on a ramble in the yard, a stroll around the house, or a walk in the neighborhood. You'll enjoy spending time your parent – and also the delights of safe wandering.