The patient/caregiver was educated on measures to reduce risk for wandering behavior in Alzheimer’s patients as follows:
- Restful sleep patterns in senior citizens can lead to reduced restlessness, which can contribute to reduced confusion, lessened fatigue, and reduce risk for wandering. Taking small daytime naps can help better management of stress and fatigue in seniors and avoid episodes of confusion. Avoiding all possible stimuli, such as, television, visitors, and phones at least 2 hours before the scheduled sleep time and listening to soothing & relaxing music after dinner, can help promote restful sleep patterns.
- Identify the time of the day or pattern your loved one is most likely to wander, such as, sundowning hours or busy streets. This can help the caregiver to be extra watchful for the Alzheimer’s patient during the said part of the day or while facing the said environment. Keeping company with the Alzheimer’s patient during these times, by engaging them in conversation or planning joint activities that the individual enjoys doing, can help distract the individual, reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and avoid risk for wandering.
- Caregivers can encourage their loved one carry an identification card or wear a medical alert bracelet displaying their identity clearly. Placing identification labels in the individual’s garments displaying their identify and caregivers contact and enrolling the individual in Alzheimer’s safe-return program can also help significantly. Caregivers can also consider encouraging their loved one wear a GPS tracking device, which helps in the event of wandering. Caregivers can also notify friends and family in the neighborhood regarding the risk for wandering of their loved one and make a request for informing the caregiver and/or safe-return of the individual, if found wandering alone.
