Understanding Elderly Wandering

Many people know that Alzheimer's disease and dementia can cause memory loss and confusion. However, fewer people know that these mental illnesses also cause disorientation and wandering. If you have an elder loved one who suffers from some form of dementia or memory loss, it is important that you understand the dangers. Let's take a closer look.

Understanding elderly wandering.

More than half of seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's display wandering tendencies. Wandering can be triggered by a number of things: a loved one may wander due to anxiety or stress; an Alzheimer's patient might wander because they are looking for something, like a restroom or assistance. Still others may wander because they are reliving something from the past.

Preventing elderly wandering.

Wandering can cause problems whether a loved one is living with you or whether they are living in an assisted care facility. At home, you can curb wandering by keeping your loved one occupied, by storing away shoes and keys, and by hiding doors behind curtains. At nursing homes, it is best prevented by having doors that trigger alarms and by having security cameras and staff on hand for surveillance.

Responding to an eloped elder loved one.

It can be terrifying to realize that your loved one has left their nursing home or your property, also known aselopement. Elopement is dangerous because those with dementia can easily become involved in a pedestrian accident, fall, or be exposed to the elements. If you believe your loved one has eloped, call the authorities immediately for assistance. If you are placing your loved one in a care facility, be sure to ask about the Texas nursing home's elopement protocol.
In the case of nursing home elopement, the adult care facility is sometimes at fault for the harm caused to residents who wander from the home and are injured or harmed. If your elder loved one was injured or killed in a Houston nursing home, call today to speak to a Texas nursing home negligence lawyer today about your case.