Can Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease Wander Safely?

People with Alzheimer’s disease experience so many changes in their behaviors, moods, and habits. One of those behaviors, wandering, can be scary for family caregivers to even consider. The idea that their loved one could wander away alone is enough to make family caregivers lose sleep. 24-hour home care services can offer some assistance with this and other behaviors that Alzheimer’s patients might experience.

Wandering Is a Behavior

24-Hour Home Care Wyckoff, NJ – Can Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease Wander Safely?

There are a few different types of wandering that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might experience. If they’re pacing or wandering from room to room, that’s usually not as frightening. But if seniors are trying to leave the home and wander in the neighborhood or beyond, that can be terrifying. The important thing to remember is that wandering is a behavior that serves a purpose. Seniors with Alzheimer’s might be bored, uncomfortable, or looking for something. 24-hour home care providers can help family caregivers understand why seniors are wandering so that they can help prevent issues. This is especially important overnight. For improved safety, families might want to make some changes.

Use Motion-sensing Nightlights

Nightlights that turn on when someone walks past them are a fantastic idea when seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might wander overnight. These lights help seniors to see obstacles so they can avoid them, which greatly reduces the risk of falling. Seniors may also find that these lights help them reorient themselves when they get up for bathroom visits, for instance. Motion-sensing nightlights can also help 24-hour home care providers know when seniors are up and moving about.

Put Safety Locks on Exterior Doors

The big danger with wandering is that seniors might leave the house and get lost. To prevent that, families might consider adding safety locks to exterior doors. Placing these in unexpected locations, like higher up on the door, makes it more challenging for seniors to notice and use those locks. This simple addition can keep seniors with Alzheimer’s from unexpectedly leaving the house.

Reduce Clutter and Tripping Hazards

Another big part of helping seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to stay safe while wandering is to remove anything that could lead to a fall. Tripping hazards like clutter, loose cords, and packed rooms can be a big problem. 24-hour home care providers can help seniors keep their homes tidier and gradually clear larger pathways to help reduce tripping.

Get Overnight Help

If family caregivers don’t already have overnight help, it can be a great support. Family caregivers can’t be awake every hour of the day, and seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might have trouble sleeping at night. Working with 24-hour home care providers means that family caregivers can get coverage when they can’t be there for their aging family members.

Plan for an Escape

Finally, family caregivers need to be realistic about the fact that there might be a time when seniors with Alzheimer’s disease do manage to wander off completely. Planning for that eventuality means that it’s less of a shock when it does happen. Keep recent pictures on hand and consider having seniors with Alzheimer’s wear a tracking device, just in case.

Wandering is common for people with Alzheimer’s disease, but it doesn’t have to be a terrifying behavior for family caregivers. 24-hour home care services can help families work out why seniors are wandering and do whatever they can to improve safety for seniors.

If you or a senior family member is considering hiring 24-Hour Home Care Services in Wyckoff, NJ, please get in touch with the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC.

Providing in-home senior care, servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.