Ways to Help Wandering By Tammy Pence, Director of Community Relations for Azura Memory Care
W
andering is one of the most common symptoms exhibited by those living with memory loss. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 out of 10 people with memory loss will wander outside of the home and become lost. If not found within 24 hours, up to half of those who wander risk serious injury or death. In some, episodes of wandering can last for a few days, while in others it can go on for months or even years. After this long, snowy, cold winter most people crave to be outside. Therefore, it is no wonder that the warmer Spring breezes bring on an increase in wandering for those with memory loss. Wandering can be brought on by a feeling of anxiety or signal a change in the progression of the disease or an infection. It is can be one of the most frustrating, scary and draining times for the caregiver, as they feel the need to always be on high alert. However, if you take a step back and look at wandering as simply the disease trying to speak for your loved one, it may help you understand and provide the patience needed to enter into their wandering world.
For example, every afternoon your eighty year old mother begins pacing and trying to leave the house. She says that she needs to meet the kids at the bus. Our first reaction may be to explain to Mom that her kids are grown and that she doesn’t need to meet the bus anymore, but this may further confuse and upset her. In reality what the disease is actually expressing for her is that she has the desire to be needed and valued. Our job is to meet that need. Our job is to use her personal history and try to relate to her feelings of anxiety. In addition, we need to enter her reality and possibly engage her in a conversation about her kids, then slowly refocus the conversation towards other topics. You could also consider going with her for a walk to help release her anxiety or find something else she enjoys like listening to her favorite song. You could also bring Mom a chair so that she can sit and wait for the bus, again providing her with another activity to do while she waits and thereby changing her focus naturally to another activity. However, if your loved one is exiting outdoors, please consider investing in alarms for all of the doors for your home, enrolling them in the Medic Alert + Safe Return program offered
by the Alzheimer’s Association and investigate secure homes in your area, like Azura Memory Care, that specialize in caring for those with memory loss. In addition, we are asking for everyone’s support in advocating for the Silver Alert law recently passed by the State of Wisconsin House of Representatives that would build upon the success of Wisconsin’s Amber Alert system and allow for its use in finding missing at-risk elderly adults. Currently this law is still waiting to be heard in the State Senate. Please take a minute to call to your State Senator and that they help push this important legislation to the floor and to our
communities. Together we can ensure that all in our community remain safe throughout their disease process! Tammy Pence is the Director of Community Relations for Azura Memory Care of Janesville, Clinton, Monroe and Beloit. Azura Memory Care offers a unique model of memory care services and programs for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Azura believes in the importance of transforming the culture of care through transformational programming and educational outreach. If you would like to learn more about these FREE educational programs for caregivers, professionals and the community, please contact Tammy at 608-295-2764 or via e-mail at tammy.pence@azuramemory.com.
Azura Memory Care is a trusted provider of innovative
memory care services for those in need of short-term Azura Memory Care is a trusted Azura provider of innovative Careassistance. From homelike respite orMemory long-term care memory care services for those inissettings short-term to ofprovider transformational MOSAIC by Azura aneed trusted of programming, our communities provide a safe and nurturing respite or long-term care assistance. From homelike innovative care place for thosememory with memory care needs. settings to transformational MOSAIC by in Azura services for those need Our pledge is to provide your loved one with respect and programming, our communities provide a safesupport andrespite nurturing of short-term unparalleled for theirorphysical, mental and spiritual needs, while creating magical moments of joy with them place for those with memory care needs. long-term care assistance. throughout the day!
We’re by your side so your loved ones can stay at home. Senior Review | 8
From homelike settings to Our pledge is to provide your lovedtransformational one respect and Callwith us today to learn more or visit our (608) 295-2764 MOSAIC website at w wspiritual w .azu ra me mory.com Beloit I Clinton I Janesville I Monroe unparalleled support for their physical, mental and by Azura andprogramming, witness our exceptional care! www .azuramemory.com needs, while creating magical moments of joy with them our communities provide throughout the*Meal day! Prep *Housekeeping a safe and nurturing place *Alzheimer’s Care *Personal for those with memory care Care Call*Errands us today to learn more or visit our Call us(608) today295-2764 to learn more needs. website at w w w .azu ra Our mepledge mory.com Beloit Clintonour I Janesville I Monroe or Ivisit website at is to provide and witness our exceptional care! www.azuramemory.com www.azuramemory.com your loved one with respect 314-9241 and unparalleled support and witness our for their physical, mental exceptional care! and spiritual needs, while creating magical moments (608) 295-2764 of joy with them throughout Beloit I Clinton I Janesville I Monroe homeinstead.com the day! www.azuramemory.com
Each Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise office is independently owned and operated. © 2009 Home Instead, Inc.