Wandering is a prevalent and often distressing behaviour among individuals with dementia. It can lead to confusion, anxiety, and, in some cases, dangerous situations. Understanding the causes, risks, and strategies to manage wandering is crucial for carers, healthcare professionals, and families.
This blog aims to provide insights into wandering in dementia and introduce the CPR Guardian Personal Alarm Watch as a solution to enhance safety and independence.
What Is Wandering in Dementia?
Wandering is one of the more challenging behaviours commonly observed among individuals living with dementia. It refers to seemingly aimless, repetitive, or purposeful movement, where a person may roam about without a clear plan or destination.
While it might appear as simple restlessness on the surface, wandering can have complex psychological, emotional, and physical underpinnings. It’s a behaviour that can occur at any stage of dementia—from the early to the advanced phases—and may manifest in different ways. For some, it may mean pacing back and forth in a hallway or room; for others, it can involve leaving the home entirely, becoming disoriented, and getting lost—even in once-familiar places.
In more severe cases, individuals might even attempt to drive or travel long distances without recognising the associated risks. Regardless of the form it takes, wandering poses safety concerns and can place a significant emotional and logistical burden on carers and family members.
Understanding the possible causes behind wandering is key to both managing it effectively and keeping individuals safe.
Common Causes of Wandering
1. Disorientation and Memory Loss
One of the most common causes of wandering is confusion about time and place. People with dementia often forget where they are, what time it is, or even who they are with. For example, someone might leave the house thinking they need to get to work—even if they’ve been retired for years—or go searching for a childhood home that no longer exists. This disconnection from reality can lead them to walk or travel without a clear sense of direction or safety.
2. Restlessness, Boredom, or the Need for Activity
Dementia can alter how individuals experience the world around them, including their capacity to engage in everyday tasks. When they’re no longer able to participate in the activities they once enjoyed, or when their environment lacks stimulation, they may become restless or anxious. This restlessness can lead them to wander in search of something to do—movement can feel like an outlet or a way to regain a sense of control and purpose.
It’s also not uncommon for those with dementia to revert to lifelong routines. For instance, someone who used to walk to the local shop every morning may still feel compelled to do so, even if their cognitive state no longer allows them to safely carry out the task.
3. Physical Discomfort or Unmet Needs
When a person living with dementia is in pain, thirsty, hungry, or needs to use the toilet, they may not be able to express it clearly. Instead, their body might act for them—they stand up, move around, and unknowingly begin wandering. This type of behaviour is often a response to inner discomfort or an unmet need.
For example, someone might leave their bedroom and begin walking through the house because they feel too hot or cold and are trying to find relief. Or they might be experiencing side effects from medication that increase agitation, prompting them to pace or attempt to leave.
4. Searching for Someone or Something
People with dementia often have gaps in short-term memory and may become anxious if they think someone is missing or something is wrong. It’s common for them to go looking for a spouse who has passed away or search for children who have long since grown up. This behaviour is emotionally charged and usually tied to a person’s deep need for connection and familiarity.
5. Anxiety or Fear
Dementia can be an isolating and confusing experience. Sudden changes in surroundings, noise levels, or routine can trigger fear or distress. A person may feel unsafe or overwhelmed and may leave a location to escape these uncomfortable feelings, even if it puts them at risk.
6. Habitual or Purposeful Movement
Not all wandering is completely aimless. In some cases, individuals follow what once were deeply ingrained habits. For example, someone might head out each day at a certain time because it’s what they’ve done for decades—even if they’re now unable to remember why. These ingrained patterns, once harmless, can become risky when paired with cognitive decline.
Risks Associated with Wandering
Wandering is one of the most dangerous behaviours linked to dementia, as it often happens without warning and can escalate quickly. Even when it seems harmless—like pacing through the house or going for a short walk—the potential risks are significant, particularly if the individual is unsupervised or confused about their surroundings.
Injury
People with dementia may struggle with balance, depth perception, or awareness of obstacles. This makes them more prone to trips, slips, or falls—especially outdoors or in unfamiliar settings. If they fall and are unable to call for help, injuries can become serious rapidly.
Getting Lost
Disorientation is a hallmark of dementia. An individual may leave the house thinking they’re heading somewhere familiar, only to find themselves lost and unable to retrace their steps. Such events can happen even in neighbourhoods they’ve lived in for decades. Without intervention, they can wander far from home, putting themselves at risk from traffic, unfamiliar terrain, or even becoming trapped.
Exposure to the Elements
Weather conditions pose a serious threat to people who wander. Leaving home without the right clothing—especially in winter or during extreme heat—can result in hypothermia, heatstroke, or dehydration. Because individuals with dementia may not recognise their discomfort, they may not seek shelter or hydration when needed.
Emotional Strain
For carers and families, the emotional toll of wandering is significant. The fear of a loved one going missing can lead to chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and burnout. Many carers live in a state of constant alert, never knowing when the next incident may occur.
CPR Guardian: A Solution for Dementia Care
When it comes to supporting someone living with dementia, safety and peace of mind are paramount—not only for the individual but also for their family, friends, and carers. Technology has made great strides recently, and one of the most promising innovations in this space is the CPR Guardian IV.
This wearable device is more than just a watch—it’s a lifeline. Specifically designed with older adults and vulnerable individuals in mind, the CPR Guardian aims to provide an added layer of protection while still promoting a sense of independence and dignity.
Real-Time GPS Tracking: Allows carers to monitor the location of the wearer at all times.
Geofencing Alerts: Notifies carers if the wearer enters or leaves a designated area.
Two-Way Communication: Enables direct communication between the carer and the wearer.
Fall Detection: Automatically detects falls and sends alerts to carers.
SOS Button: Allows the wearer to call for help in emergencies.
The CPR Guardian IV has been reported to reduce missing person incidents and improve the efficiency of care delivery in various settings, including care homes and community-based care systems.
Conclusion
Wandering with dementia is a complex behaviour that requires understanding, patience, and proactive management. By creating a safe environment, establishing routines, providing engagement, and leveraging technology, carers can significantly enhance the safety and well-being of individuals with dementia.
Tools like the CPR Guardian IV offer practical solutions to monitor and assist individuals, providing peace of mind to families and carers. Stay connected, stay safe, and ensure help is always just a button away. Please contact us if you need assistance.
