Q. My wife was diagnosed with dementia about a year ago and an incident over the holidays has me worried. We were both looking forward to having my daughter and her family visit, but while they were here, my wife tried to get in the car and leave. She gave up driving long ago, so this was surprising. Are there steps I can take to keep her safe?
A. For people living with dementia, a break from routine or a stressful situation, like having houseguests, can lead to wandering. It’s most common in more advanced dementia, but it can happen at any time, so you’re wise to be looking for ways to keep your wife safe. Sudden changes in behavior can be triggered by pain, infection, medication side effects, or disease progression, so it’s important to let her doctor know about this incident.
Since she no longer drives, it’s a good idea to put the car keys in a spot that your wife can’t access. You can also keep coats and other items that might signal leaving the house out of sight. When a loved one is living with dementia, there are a few other steps you can take to guard against wandering.
Check for comfort – Wandering can occur when someone is hungry, uncomfortable, or bored. They may need to use the bathroom. Try to keep their surroundings calm and quiet.
Plan activities and exercise – Make sure the person stays physically active and engaged in activities that interest them.
Look for patterns and use distractions – If you notice wandering occurs at a certain time of day or in certain circumstances, engage them in a conversation or activity at that time.
Be prepared – Make sure you have a recent photo of the person handy. Write their name and your contact information in their clothes. Keep a list of neighbors’ names and phone numbers, along with emergency numbers and let neighbors know they should call you if they see the person out alone.
It’s also a good idea to look around and take steps to create a safe environment.
- Put a gate across stairs and use child safety locks or door alarms.
- Use night lights in dark areas and rooms.
- Secure any items that could be dangerous, such as knives, matches, cleaning supplies, and medications.
- Try using a room monitor, so you can hear what the person is doing.
- Consider using a GPS device or dementia-friendly location tracker.
Wandering can be dangerous and caring for someone with dementia can be exhausting, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you meet program requirements, the AgeSpan GUIDE Program provides support and education for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. You can learn more about this program on our website: https://agespan.org/solutions/health-wellness-medicare/.
By taking a few precautions and planning ahead, you can feel more confident your wife is safe with you at home.
Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org.
Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.
First published in the Eagle-Tribune.
