Is Your Senior Showing Early Signs of Wandering?

Wandering is a fairly common symptom or behavior of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, experts estimate that approximately 3 out of 5 people who are living with Alzheimer’s disease exhibit the tendency to wander. This is around 60% of those with Alzheimer’s disease, and it can often be one of the earliest behavioral changes a person exhibits. Wandering can be a very dangerous behavior for an elderly adult with Alzheimer’s disease. It is very important to detect if your senior has these tendencies, and take steps to protect them from the potential dangers that can result. This protection can include increasing the locks on the house, investing in a wearable GPS system for your senior so they can easily be found, and even starting home care for them so they will have the proper care and supervision.

Home Care in Liberty Lake WA: Early Signs of Wandering

Home Care in Liberty Lake WA: Early Signs of Wandering

Some things to look out for to detect if your senior is showing early signs of wandering include:

  • Your senior returns from walks, drives, or activities they engage in regularly later than usual.
  • Your parents seems confused or turned around when following a familiar route.
  • They ask for help getting to familiar locations, or for directions to find things such as the bathroom in places they have been too many times before.
  • They talk about needing to go to work or to another activity they have not engaged in years.
  • They talk about wanting to go home, or to visit a place where they already are.
  • Feeling anxious or nervous in a crowded location, or in a location that might look different than it usually does, such as when it is decorated for a particular event or holiday.
  • Going through the motions of activities or tasks, but not actually accomplishing anything, such as running a sponge under water and shifting dishes around in the sink, but not actually washing them.

 

If your senior has been experiencing greater needs and challenges, your own abilities have changed and made it more difficult for you to fulfill your parents needs effectively, or you simply believe they would benefit from more diversified care, now may be the right time for you to start home care. An in-home senior care services provider can supplement your care routine to help your parent manage their challenges and needs in ways that are right for them. Through a set of highly personalized services, this care provider can help your parent to stay safer and healthier, increase their activity, boost their mental and emotional health, stimulate their mind, and encourage greater independence and fulfillment. As their family caregiver, this can give you confidence they are living at their highest quality of life, while also allowing you to step back and focus on other elements of your life as well.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Liberty Lake, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

 

Source

https://www.alz.org/

Andy Niska