The first time that your senior wanders off, you might be terrified.
To prevent that, you might want to try some of these techniques that other caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease have found to be helpful. Every situation can be a little bit different, but the changes going on in your senior’s brain can make her feel insecure and a little bit lost. These techniques can help her to feel safe again.
Set up a Timed Daily Schedule
It might feel restrictive, but a timed daily schedule is a good idea for someone who tends to wander. The routine can be comforting for your elderly family member, especially if anxiety or discomfort are common triggers for her to wander. You might want to adjust the schedule as you learn more about what times work best for certain activities.
Track Activities and Symptoms
Keep track of what your aging family member does and how she responds to those activities. This can help you to narrow down whether or not the schedule you’ve developed is helping her or not. You might also spot areas in the routine where switching activities around or adding something like a walk after a meal can help your elderly family member deal with restlessness.
Make Sure You’re Meeting All Basic Needs
One of the most effective strategies you can use is to keep track of your elderly family member’s basic needs. Hunger, thirst, and bathroom needs can be some of the biggest reasons that your elderly family member might attempt to wander off. When you’re targeting those needs most effectively, you’re going to see a much bigger reduction in restlessness.
Use Plenty of Reassurance
Disorientation is extremely disturbing for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. If you can build reassurance into each day, that can go a long way toward helping her to feel comfortable. Try to avoid negative responses when possible and just let her know that she’s safe and that you’re there with her. Reassurance can sometimes be just what she needs to hear in order to stay calm and to remember that she’s secure.
You may not be able to prevent wandering every time, even if you use all of these strategies regularly. Elder care providers can help you to become more comfortable with what you’re learning and trying while also helping you keep an eye on your senior. Remember that you’re doing the best you can, so go easy on yourself.
