A Better Living Home Care Agency
(Sacramento)

9719 Lincoln Village, Suite 609
Sacramento, California 95827
(916) 361‑3000

A Better Living Home Care Agency
(Walnut Creek/Concord)

2280 Diamond Boulevard, Suite 580
Concord, California 94520
(925) 680‑0300

Managing Wandering with Alzheimer's

A common behavior caused by Alzheimer's disease is wandering. Around the house wandering can be controlled with a safe and secure environment, where dangerous areas such as stairwells, decks, hot tubs, and swimming pools are either camaflauged, gated or locked. While creating a safe environment for someone with Alzheimer's is significant step in managing wandering, having a tool box of preventative plans will go a long way in protecting lives.

Curbing the Wandering:

Plan Activities ‑ Does your loved one with Alzheimer's tend to wander at the same time every day? If you've noticed a pattern, plan an activity during that time. The activity could be anything from performing a household chore to playing a board game.

Address Physical Needs ‑ People with Alzheimer's often begin wandering because they are triggered by a physical need such as hunger. Offer your loved one a snake, a drink of water, or assistance to the bathroom.

Encourage Physical Activity ‑ Getting plenty of exercise is a great way to prevent restlessness. Besides preventing wandering, physical activity such as stretching or yoga, dancing, gardening, even house work can be very beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that exercise helps to maintain motor skills, communication skills and improves memory while decreasing falls and reducing mental decline.

Provide Safe Wandering Areas ‑ When wandering isn't triggered by a physical need, you may simply provide a safe location for the behavior to play out. A place for walking, free of hazards, such as a path through rooms or a circular trail in the backyard, can be allocated for your loved one.

Track Outdoor Wandering ‑ GPS has provided a much needed solution to controlling Alzheimer's wandering. By wearing a GPS device, your loved one can easily and quickly be found if wandering outdoors.

Install Locks & Alarms ‑ Alarms, warning bells, and pressure‑sensitive alarm mats can be installed in a home and warn when your loved one has gone outside or into a specific area of the home. Placing childproof covers on doorknobs will curb attempts to the outdoors. While sliding bolt locks that are placed out of sight of your loved one can prevent access to rooms and the outdoors.

Jog Memory with Visual Cues ‑ People with Alzheimer's disease often forget where they are, even inside their homes. It might help to post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Encourage your loved one to explore his or her immediate environment as often as necessary.

For additional assistance in managing wandering, contact A Better Living Home Care. We can find you a compatible caregiver match. Our professional, highly qualified caregivers, nurse assistants, and home aides understand the care and needs required for Alzheimer's symptoms. Get the peace of mind and help you and your loved one deserves.

Learn more about Alzheimer's Disease
Living with Alzheimer's
Creating Alzheimer's & Dementia Safe Environments