• Alzheimer's Disease: Understanding Sundowning Syndrome
• Choosing Between Hospice Care & Palliative Care: An In-depth Look at Your Options
• Hospice Care & Palliative Care: Choosing the Right Level of Care
• Alzheimer's Disease: Understanding Wandering Behavior
• The Importance of Partnering with Physicians in End of Life Care
• Artificial Hydration & Nutrition in Advanced Alzheimer's
• Hospice & Palliative Care: Where's the Common Ground?
• Determining Hospice Eligibility for Dementia
• Hospice Care: Living with Terminal Illness
• Living with Dementia: How Hospice Care Can Help

COMMENTS
2 Responses to “Alzheimer's Disease: Understanding Wandering Behavior”

1. Sheryl Eley Says:
   

   Interesting article. I am now the caregiver of my mother, who has been diagnosed as moderate dementia. She still knows who she is but all other facts are confused, ie who owns her home, car, she doesn't have money, all family stories crossed with places and persons that are incorrect. She walks all day long and searches for something- purse, keys, makeup, mirrors. Items that she moves around from drawer to drawer and so on. May I assume that her wandering is associated with finding items she feels have been stole from her? I plan on getting alert bracelet but are there books are articles that I can check what I can do to help? Interactive web site for communication with persons in same situation?
   Thank you for good information.

2. Audrey Wuerl, RN, BSN, PHN Says:
   

   Dear Sheryl,

   Families often struggle with the “whys” associated with behaviors exhibited by their loved ones with dementia. Confusion is the hallmark of the dementias. The fact that your mother can’t remember specifics, such as family stories or if she owns a car or home, is the natural progression of her disease. You mention she still knows who “she is” and that suggests she still recognizes you—something that you can be thankful for now. If your mother walks “all day long” perhaps there is some physical, underlying cause for that behavior. Is she mildly agitated? Is she suffering for a urinary tract infection, or constipated? A consultation with her physician may be useful. Moving about constantly can also cause fatigue, so you may try some form of diversion, such as having her help you fold towels—a repetitious action that she might find soothing. Often times, determining causes is like being a detective.

   Remember that repetitious behavior does not have to have a meaning in itself; just like the towel folding, it serves some purpose for the person. I don’t think you should assume she is looking for things “stolen” from her. Even if she was a victim of theft, would she recall that? So many unknowns. Being the caregiver for your mother may be the most important work you will ever do. Try to take care of yourself, and know what you do is important. I would suggest the Alzheimer’s website http://www.alz.org as an excellent source of information. Try entering “caregiver support for dementia” on your computer toolbar (put your city and state, too), to locate others just like you who are struggling to find balance in caring for their loved one.

   Celebrating Life!

   Audrey

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