Problems with Wandering Understanding Dementia “My parents used to go for a walk together every morning but they stopped when my mother fell ill. When she passed away my father’s dementia got worse. He kept leaving the house on his own and would wander around the estate for hours. It was worrying and tiring, looking for him and trying to keep him at home. I now go for a walk with him every morning. It helps stop him from wandering off during the day and it’s good exercise for both of us.” Why does it happen? People with dementia may walk or pace around indoors or outside as a way of showing that they are upset or something is wrong.
What causes it? Physical causes • Being hungry, thirsty or needing the toilet • Wanting to go somewhere or do an old habit such as go for a daily walk • Changes to the brain causing confusion • Not knowing the difference between dreams and the real world Emotional causes • Restlessness or boredom • Feeling stressed, scared or lonely • Feeling helpless or useless • Loss of a regular routine • Searching for the past such as a place from their childhood or a family member who has died Their environment • Busy, noisy or crowded places • Being in a new place or with new people • Trying to work out where they are because of: - Poor memory - Poor vision, which can cause confusing shadows - Hearing loss, which can cause confusing and scary sounds