The patient/caregiver was educated on wandering behavior in Alzheimer’s patients as follows:
- Many Alzheimer’s patients, secondary to the progressing disorientation and diminishing realization of familiar places & surroundings, could pose risk for wandering away.
- This wandering behavior can mostly happen during a specific time of the day, such as, the sundowning hours. It can also happen during exposure to specific environments, such as, in crowded places and unfamiliar environments.
- Inability to realize the familiar environments, being in unfamiliar environments, and exposure to crowded places can trigger anxiety & restlessness in Alzheimer’s patients. Poorly met needs of nutrition, hydration, and elimination can also contribute to triggering anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients.
- Wandering is a relief response they unknowingly adopt, to control their anxiety, find a destination to have their needs met (kitchen for food & water and restroom for elimination needs etc.,), and find themselves in a safer & familiar environment with the caregivers.
- Wandering occasionally can result in the individual completely getting lost and end up in potentially dangerous and life-threatening situations.
