Does your beloved mom, dad, or grandparents suddenly open the door and walk out, saying, "I'm going home"? Or does your special needs child not stay in one place, but suddenly disappear from sight? This is what we call 'Wandering' in medical science. Simply put, it means wandering around without any particular purpose, forgetting where they are, and getting lost. This is one of the biggest headaches and fears for caregivers like you. So let's talk about it all today.
What exactly is this 'Wandering'?
Simply put, 'Wandering' is when someone wanders away from their surroundings without any clear purpose. Sometimes, there is something similar to this. It is called "elopement". It is when someone leaves a safe place like home, either intentionally or unintentionally, and gets lost.
It's surprising to learn that six out of ten (6/10) people with dementia experience this type of disorientation at least once during their illness. Many people experience this more than once.
Why does this happen to our loved ones?
Often it is difficult to find a specific reason for this behavior, but sometimes caregivers are able to understand that there is some intention behind it.
Imagine, our healthy brain uses a system like a GPS system to find our way and remember a place. We call this ``(Cognitive mapping)``. This is how we use memory and spatial knowledge to decide where we are and where we want to go.
However, when a disease like Alzheimer 's disease develops, the brain gradually loses this ability. Therefore, if they go to an unfamiliar place, it is very difficult for them to remember the way back.
Some of the main reasons why someone with dementia may become lost are:
- Inability to follow instructions to stay in one place and be patient.
- Restlessness and agitation .
- Having to get used to a new environment or a new routine.
- Responding immediately to something you hear or see and going after it.
Other conditions associated with wandering
In addition to dementia, there are several other medical conditions that are associated with this risk of becoming lost. As a caregiver, it is important for you to be aware of this.
- Autism (Autism spectrum disorder): Autism is a neurological and developmental disorder. A person with this condition may have a reduced sense of danger. As a result, they approach new things without fear. Sometimes they may get lost because they need to escape from a place that is bothering them (e.g., loud noises, bright lights) and go to a quiet place.
- Down syndrome : People with Down syndrome sometimes have a tendency to wander around like a small child. This risk is even higher if they also have autism.
- Stroke : A common side effect of a stroke is memory loss . A person who has had a stroke may become disoriented, have difficulty following instructions, and become easily disoriented. However, with rehabilitation, memory can improve somewhat over time.
What are the early warning signs of danger?
There are several early warning signs that tell us that someone is in danger of getting lost. If you pay attention to these, you can prevent a major accident.
| Warning signs indicating the risk of getting lost | |
|---|---|
| Repeating often | If you constantly say things like "I want to go home", "I want to go to work", "I want to go shopping". |
| Forgetting one's home | If they act like they're not at home, if they show signs of being unidentifiable at home. |
| Forgetting places | If you need to constantly remind yourself where the bedroom and bathroom are. |
| Restlessness | If you are increasingly restless, pacing around instead of staying in one place. |
| Forgetting to come back in | If you leave the house and don't remember to come back in. |
This is not a game. After 24 hours of being lost, the chances of finding someone with dementia alive decrease by about 50%. So this is something to take very seriously.
What can we do to prevent wandering?
Of course, we can't watch over another person 24 hours a day, every second of the day. No matter how good a caregiver you are, you may not be able to stop them from getting lost all the time. However, following a few tips below can go a long way in keeping your loved one safe.
1. Strengthen home security
Install new locks on your doors and windows that your loved one cannot easily open. If possible, raise these locks a little higher so that they cannot reach them. You may also want to install grilles on the windows. You can install ``motion detectors`` that make a sound when a door is opened. A simple solution is to hang small bells on the door handles .
2. Always carry an ID card with you.
While this doesn't stop people from getting lost, it's still important to have ID with you at all times. Remember, just keeping an ID in your purse isn't enough. They can take it off. So, it's a good idea to wear a bracelet or pendant with medical information on it. Or you can sew details like your phone number on the inside of their jacket.
3. Wear bright colored clothes
If they don't like it, wear bright, visible clothing, like when you're going to a crowded place. That way, they'll be easier to spot.
4. Build a fence around the garden
Although it may be a bit expensive, building a secure fence around the garden with gates will help prevent them from getting lost while giving them the opportunity to go out into the yard and get some fresh air.
5. Inform the neighbors
Introduce your loved one to your neighbors. Tell them about their situation, and give them your phone number so they can call you if they ever see you walking alone. If we are clear about this, they are more likely to help.
6. Apply signs to doors
Sometimes, just putting a big sign on the inside of the exit door that says "Stop" or "No Trespassing" can be enough to stop them. Also, put a sign on the bathroom door that says "Bathroom." That way, they'll find it easier to find.
7. Increase physical activity
Some experts believe that getting some exercise during the day can help reduce nighttime restlessness. Even a short, supervised walk before dinner can help reduce nighttime restlessness.
What to do in an emergency?
What do you do if, no matter how hard you try, your loved one gets lost? Your natural reaction may be to panic and run outside, looking everywhere.
But experts say the first thing you should do is call the police emergency number 119 and alert the authorities. That's the most important thing. Once you've made that call, you can start your investigation.
Having a file with your loved one's details (photo, clothing, special markings) collected beforehand is invaluable when providing information to the police. This can save you valuable time.
Take-Home Message
- Wandering is a common behavior associated with conditions like dementia, so don't feel bad about it thinking it's your fault.
- The most important thing is to take steps to prevent getting lost. Things like securing your doors and windows, and keeping an ID card with you at all times are very important.
- Be aware of changes in your loved one's behavior. If there are any concerns, talk to your doctor .
- If you get lost, the first thing to do without panic is to call the police emergency number 119.
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