1. Wandering is a common behavior in dementia patients, but it can be a source of stress for family members. The good news is that there are ways to reduce the risk of your loved one wandering at home or in a care facility.
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3. One of the most effective methods is to use GPS tracking devices. These devices help you locate your loved one quickly if they do become lost.
4. Preventing Wandering
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6. Wandering is one of the most dangerous behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It can lead to a person becoming lost, confused, injured or even dead.
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8. Fortunately, there are many steps that can be taken to prevent dementia wandering. dementia tracker Understanding the causes, keeping track of your loved one’s location and calling for help are all important ways to minimize this risk.
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10. Caregivers can take a proactive approach to preventing their loved one from wandering, which is especially helpful if the patient has a tendency to wander at night.
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12. In addition to ensuring your loved one has access to their medication, water and snacks at all times, it’s also a good idea to create a safe environment. Eliminate tripping hazards, cover sharp corners and block stairs to reduce the risk of wandering.
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14. If your loved one does wander, be sure to alert neighbors and local law enforcement. Notify them of your aging relative’s wandering pattern and their personal information, so they can contact you if they spot them outside alone.
15. Identifying Wandering Patterns
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17. Wandering is one of the most common and distressing behavioral manifestations in dementia. Despite its impact on patients and caregivers, there is a paucity of research evidence that guides therapeutic approaches for dementia wandering.
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19. Dementia wandering is characterized by a number of observable travel patterns including lapping, pacing and random ambu- lation (Fig.1). It is the most frequent behavioral manifestation of dementia and is associated with a high level of mortality and morbidity.
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21. In this study, drug-naive AD patients with specific wandering patterns were compared to non-wanderers using brain FDG PET. Compared to non-wanderers, patients with specific wandering patterns had a lower FDG uptake in the frontal and parietal lobes.
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23. There is a strong relationship between dementia and wandering patterns, so it is important to identify them as soon as possible. This will help caregivers determine if there are any triggers that may lead to wandering, and make appropriate adjustments to the home or care environment.
24. Keeping Track of Your Loved One’s Location
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26. Many people with dementia, including caregivers and family members, struggle to keep track of a loved one’s location. Fortunately, there are tracking devices that can help you locate a wandering person on a regular basis and communicate with them.
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28. GPS-enabled watches, door alarms, motion sensors and remote alarms can all be used to monitor a wandering loved one. dementia wandering Some of these products also allow you to set up geofences (pre-determined boundaries around a person’s home or community) so that you can receive alerts when your loved one enters or leaves the designated area.
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30. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, a GPS tracker can provide you with peace of mind that they are safe and sound. Look for a device that offers global coverage, a rechargeable battery and a wireless charger. Choose a reporting schedule from every 10 minutes to once a day to stay updated on your loved one’s whereabouts.
31. Calling for Help
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33. Wandering is often a warning sign that a patient has dementia. They may be feeling agitated or disoriented, which can lead them outside and away from home.
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35. In these cases, it is important to call for help as soon as possible. Whether you need to call emergency services or simply let your family know that you need to leave, it is crucial to get in touch with someone who can help.
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37. The best way to call for help is to use your voice. Be sure to make eye contact and reassuring gestures as you talk.
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39. You can also ask your aging relative what they were doing and where they went before they left the house. This can help you identify what caused them to go off in the first place.
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41. You can also try to prevent wandering by providing more stimulating activities and keeping your older adult’s home safe and well-lit. This can reduce stress and provide a calming environment.
42. My website: https://dementiadevices.com/wandering/