Keeping your loved one safe: Wandering

Wandering can be a symptom of dementia, in particular those patients who have been diagnosed with alzheimers but it can affect other dementia sufferers. Wandering can occur at any time of the day. Triggers for wandering tend to be periods of anxiety or agitation. Wandering can also experienced as a regular symptom associated with sundowning (read more about that here). It is a big worry for carers, concerned with where their loved one may end up and the worry that if they are particularly agitated and anxious, they might get themselves lost and unsure about where they are, or are meant to be going. 

If a patient does go wandering, remember that they may be trying to return to a place of significance to them in their younger years. This could be a home that they lived in decades ago, or they may be trying to return to their childhood home. 

Smart technology

As a carer, you may wish to use smart technology to support the dementia care of the patient. There are GPS trackers that can be used to keep an eye on the dementia patient’s whereabouts. These can be worn as a device, so can be attached to clothing and only possible for the caregiver to remove. Some of these devices will send back regular information to the caregiver for them to be able to check their activities, their whereabouts and to know if they have left for an appointment on time. It also gives some access to sound around the patient, so the caregiver can hear what is happening around them, which is particularly useful if they have not gone where they were supposed to be. 

Types of tracking technology

There are bracelets or watches which contain a GPS tracking device within them and if the dementia patient has disappeared the information can be given to the police who can access the 24 hour helpline to access information as to the patient’s whereabouts. Other devices include trackers that can be added to shoes and provide GPS data and tracking information. 

Some devices connect with smartphones through apps to give detailed information on movements. These apps can be installed on the caregivers mobile device. Other GPS trackers contain more sophisticated information and can send alerts if someone may have had a fall.  

Monitoring movements and falls in the home

Other devices can be installed in the home to monitor movements in and around the home as well as any unusual activity from the dementia patient. Monitors can be placed around the property that will communicate with a central hub, that can alert caregivers if there are any issues or problems. This will include if the patient suddenly leaves the house at night time for example. 

Making the right choice

Confronted with too much choice and not sure what you need for your loved one? Try and think about how the device will need to be used. Do you think that the dementia patient will remember to take it with them at all times? Is the device a practical one for them? 

• Will they put on the pair of shoes that contains the GPS tracker in them? 

• Or would you need to have trackers in all of their pairs of shoes. 

• What if they leave the house in slippers, or without shoes on? 

Some devices will need to be carried by the person and may also only send information periodically, others will contain real time tracking information. Again these questions apply to devices that need to be attached to clothing or wearable GPS trackers. Try and think about the most practical use of the devices. Also, how much of a risk is the patient of wandering. Are their other means of ensuring their care, such as a 24 hour carer if they are at risk of wandering at night time for example? Would it be better to invest in a device that monitors movements within the home instead? Once you have identified what purposes you need a device to support the dementia patient care, then you will be able to select the right tech or solution for you dementia patient’s care needs.

Remember that often wandering or behaviours such as sundowning, can occur as a result of anxious feelings or agitation. Sometimes it can take a while to get to the bottom of the root causes for agitation or anxiety. However, there are some good calming methods that can be employed as part of a daily routine, to try and minimise the risk of dementia wandering. Sensory activities are also known to be good alternative therapies to try in order to reduce the risk of wandering and can have lasting benefits for up to 1 hour after the activity.

Take a look at the Looking After Dementia GPS Tracker here.