How to Prevent Wandering for Someone with Dementia

Dementia is a progressive disease that affects a person’s cognitive functioning. Memory loss and the inability to reason tend to be the most affected areas of brain function. Unfortunately, this means that people affected with dementia have a tendency to wander and get lost, which often leads to tragic accidents. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to decrease the chances of this happening in the first place. Following are simple tips to use in order to keep a loved one as safe as possible if they are living with dementia.

Provide Adequate Supervision

The most important thing a family member can do for their loved one is to provide adequate supervision for them. By hiring a home health aide or other highly qualified caregiver, family members can have peace of mind that their loved one is being supervised and taken care of during times they would otherwise be alone. Hiring a professional to take care of a loved one with dementia will help prevent them from wandering, as well as provide them with supportive care and companionship.

Consider Using a Silent Alarm or an Alarm Mat

Many people living with dementia are also at an increased risk of falling when attempting to get out of bed or a chair. These falls can result in broken bones, head injuries, and hospitalizations. A silent alarm or an alarm mat is an excellent way to make sure a loved one with dementia receives physical support if they attempt to get up without help. A silent alarm pad placed on a mattress works by sounding an alarm when pressure is released off of it. By placing a silent alarm pad on their mattress, their chances of suffering injury from a fall will drastically decrease.

Schedule Meaningful Activities Often

One of the reasons why those suffering from dementia tend to wander is due to boredom or lack of engagement. The longer they are left to sit without meaningful tasks or hobbies, the more they may seek out something to do. This can become even more apparent during the evening and overnight hours. The best way to decrease the chances of a wandering episode is to keep them physically and mentally engaged throughout the day. Knitting can be an excellent way to keep their hands busy. If they are experiencing mild cognitive decline, music can be a great way to keep them engaged. Studies show that music memory tends to outlast most other abilities, especially if they were once a musician. By keeping them occupied throughout the day they will enjoy a higher quality of life, as well as decrease the likelihood of wandering.

It is difficult to watch a loved one decline due to dementia. However, it is possible to keep them safe by following these simple tips. By taking time to ensure they receive adequate supervision, creating a safe environment, and keeping them mentally engaged, they can enjoy a better quality of life for as long as possible.

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