By Ms. Jonahlyn g.

Corpuz,RN,MAN
ut of 10 patients with Alzheim
ase or related dementia wand
nd get lost
o a movement

o a behavior
As a movement:
-aimless or purposeful
wandering
-on foot or by other means
-cognitive losses &
environmental circumstances
intersect
As a behavior:
pacing
trying doorknobs
entering other’s room
talking about going home
attempting to leave against
advice
Why do they wander?
Seeking for social interaction
An expression of agitation, sleep
disorder or unmet physiologic needs
Wanting of exercise
Looking for childhood/previous
home
Trying to get to a former workplace
o To the older person
oHazards, falls,
fractures
oDehydration and
hypothermia
Demented subjects lost for
more than 24 hrs suffered a
46% mortality rate

Those found within 24

hours have NO fatalities
To the caregiver
- emotional burden
- worry
- prayer
How to deal with Wandering
1. Examine Wandering Patterns
a. type of wandering (agitated
pacing? aimless?)
b. time of day
c. probable reasons for wandering
(boredom? looking for missing
things? upset?)
d. wandering risks
2. Tagging device?

3. Physical restraints?
omusic therapy
oexercise
oaromatherapy
oplanned walking
opet therapy
ofunctional skills training
Provision of a safe
wandering
environment