ASOCIACION DE ALZHEIMER DE PUERTO RICO
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Edif. Santurce Medical Mall E-Mail: alzheimerpr@alzheimerpr.org |
Alzheimer's Disease |
WANDERING
There are many reasons why a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease wanders or goes far from home, a well known path or well known area. Each individual reacts differently and some of the causes may be the following:
Medications.
It may be that some medications cause adverse reactions and/or cause confusion or agitation, making the person wander. If this is the case, consult their physician and disclose all the medications that the patient is taking.
Nervous Tension.
Possibly some factors such as stress, noise, unpleasant people, the multitude, and loneliness affects the person. These factors may cause the individual to wander, trying to find serenity.
Confusion About Time.
The patient can become confused about a certain part of the day, particularly at dusk. Many times, they loose the ability to distinguish between night and day. Sometimes, during the night, the individual can wake up and feel abandoned or believe that their family members have left for several days, then start to look for them, resulting in nocturnal wandering.
Basic Necessities.
It could be that the patient is looking for something specific. The Alzheimer's disease prevents him from revealing what he wants. For example, they look for food, the bathroom, or to be with someone and they cannot communicate these necessities. In addition, it could be that they haven't had enough movement and excersize and this could be the reason for wandering.
Lack of Recognition of Surroundings.
The person could be confused. He doesn't recognize where he is and begins to wander, looking for familiar people or objects around him.
Fear.
The person could be trying to escape something frightful due to an illusion, hallucination or mis-interpretation of sounds or objects. These can be reasons that an Alzheimer patient wanders.
Past Behavior.
Due to the Alzheimer's disease, a person could try to look for activities that he did only in the past, such as work, missing the house he once lived in, old friends or distant relatives. Also, there are other factors that can contribute to wandering, including medical conditions, such as a heart disease, alcohol consumption, changes in climate, or feelings of abandonment.
For this reason, people that take care of Alzheimer's patients must watch their behavior, and let them walk within the limits of secure areas, or accompany them during a walk to prevent accidents or wandering.
STEPS TO FOLLOW
Be prepared, since the tendency to wander could happen. There is no way to predict how or when it will occur.
Some people never have strayed yet others do with frequency. The best advise is to be prepared, even though the person has not yet wandered. Once the patient starts to wander or stray, he must be closely observed, and some security measures must be implemented.
Exercise and Movement.
It is important that the patient has activities and does physical excersize as part of his daily routine. For example; walks, excercizing, activities at home such as sweeping, folding clothes, working in the garden and others. These activities help the patients enormously and even though they cannot complete them well, they will expend constructive energy.
Be Objective.
Be patient and understand that Alzheimer's disease is what makes the individual wander and don't take the attitude of the patient personally.
Precaution With Risks and Dangers.
Take into account the risks and dangers than can confront the Alzheimer patient and his environment, since he is not capable of managing his daily activities due to the illness. For this reason, you must revise the surroundings of the home to prevent possible accidents. For example, supervise rails, doors, swimming pools, large bushes, tunnels, steep steps and tall balconies. Also, it is important to observe the risks that can exist outside the home, such as the bus stop and the streets where there is a lot of traffic.
Security at Home.
Do what is possible to maintain the home secure. Place the padlocks out of sight, in a high place or under the door.
Use double locks keeping the key within reach in case of emergency. On the other hand, you could use the second lock to prevent the patient from opening the door. Other security measures include:
Erecting blocks or cyclone wire fences around your patio.
Put a padlock on the main entrance.
Put a set of hanging bells on the door.
Camouflage some doors with material or curtains.
Place a dark picture in front of the second lock.
Use a piece of furniture to aid a person in getting up.
Block the openings of staircases or insecure areas.
Use lights, signs or objects to help the patient move within a secure area.
Communication and Assurance.
Communicate with the patient and remind him that he is safe at home. If it is possible, take him for a walk or a drive in the car. Reassure security and continuous confidence with words and/or touch, since he can feel lost or abandoned.
Identification.
Investigate about Identification Programs that the Alzheimer's Association offers. In order to identify the patient, you could obtain a bracelet or medal that contains the name of the person, telephone, memory problem and medical condition. Also, you could place the identification attached to the patient's clothes either by sewing, ironing or with a permanent marker. Also, it is recommended to place his identification with his glasses and keys.
Inform the Neighbors.
Communicate to his neighbors about the patient's Alzheimer's disease, since on occasion they could help and guide the patient back home, in case he escapes. Therefore, it is necessary and important to take into account the following steps in order to know how to approach a lost (disoriented) patient who wanders:
Approach the person directly in front of them.
Greet them in a normal way.
Avoid pulling or pushing the person.
Offer assistance and guide the patient home.
Report to the family that you have found the patient.
Inform the Police.
Some police departments have in their files the name, photograph and finger prints of Alzheimer's patients. Many support groups of the Alzheimer's Association initiate some type of indentification program to counsel and assist people who suffer from this illness.
If an Alzheimer's patient ever wanders, take a photograph and a set of clothing (worn clothing that has not been washed) in a plastic bag, and take them to the police with the following information:
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Name |
Identifying Marks |
Hair Color |
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Age |
Medical Condition |
Color of Eyes |
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Complexion |
Medications |
Allergies |
Also, offer suggestions where the police might find the patient, such as an old neighborhood, old work place, or favorite place to relax.
Be Prepared for Other Forms of Wandering.
Even though the majority of wandering occurs when the patient walks, it has been known that some Alzheimer's patients have driven 300 miles, sometimes with a vehicle that belonged to someone else.
You can prevent these problems by hiding the keys out of sight or temporarily disconnecting a part of the car. (for example, the battery, or the distributor cap)
Special Recommendations for Long Term Care.
Use Medications with Precaution.
Remember that no medicine can control wandering and if prescribed to some patients, they can become even more agitated. Other medicines cause related complications to mobility.
Treat the Patient as Any Other Person.
Keep the patient occupied, in site of all personnell and hellp him to develop a walkway route around the house.
Develop a Plan to Find Patients Who Stray.
Make sure to include steps such as initiating a search around the house, calling the administrator or the person in charge and notify the family to give notice to the police.
Inform People How to Approach a Patient.
Invite the police, firemen, business owners and relatives to come to the support group to learn how to help patients who wander. Help them understand that they must approach the patient serenely and quickly, assuring them and returning them to the Care Center, and who to inform when they have found the patient.
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