Shared by Ann Koegler:
We’ve already seen sun, wind, snow, rain, and temperatures ranging from single digits to the 50s. (And winter has just started!) What does weather have to do with wandering and caregiving, you may ask? The loved one’s well-being depends on care appropriate to the weather or the season, such as appropriate clothing, hydration needs, and personal safety.
A personal safety issue that those who care for loved ones with cognitive impairments (dementia, autism, or other) may face is wandering. Some care receivers don’t wander, but an estimated 60% of those diagnosed with cognitive impairment do, although wandering varies based on environment (community living vs facility care, for example).
Worrying about the care receiver’s tendency to wander is always a concern, but cold winter temperatures heighten the anxiety. Darkness, cold, snow, or other frozen precipitation add to the danger.
Know the signs that someone may be at risk of wandering. The Alzheimer’s Association offers information on risk factors.
- Forgetting how to get to familiar places or an inability to recognize what should be familiar places.
- Talking about going to work (what were their work hours?) or needing to “pick up the children” (did they have children to pick up from school or from the bus stop?)
- Trying or wanting to “go home”
- Becoming restless or pacing
- Asking where deceased family members are
- Seeming lost in a new or changed environment
- Becoming nervous or anxious in crowded areas
- Is there an unmet need? Hunger? Cold or hot? Need to go to the bathroom?
Know how to prevent wandering. Today’s Caregiver offers some tips in the article “Winter Weather Wandering Prevention”.
- Know the care receiver’s “schedule” and daily patterns. Prepare activities that will distract them at vulnerable times.
- Help the care receiver stay busy. Provide opportunities for engagement with others and activities such as recreation, exercise, art or music.
- Ensure the person’s basic needs (food, beverages, restroom, etc.) are met.
- Use medical identification bracelets, necklaces, and tracking devices for monitoring. Does your community have a Project Lifesaver program?
- Install electronic chimes or doorbells on doors so someone is alerted if the individual tries to leave.
- Be mindful of overstimulation, which can be disorienting.
How can caregivers be prepared? What can caregivers do to protect their loved ones?
- Make sure there is identifying information attached to the care receiver’s clothing, in their pockets, and/or on an ID necklace or bracelet. (Name, address, phone, note that person is cognitively impaired)
- Have a current picture of the care receiver and note any identifying information, such as scars, birthmarks, or tattoos.
- Have medications and medical history information available. A care log (digital or print) can help you organize vital information. Neighborswhocare.com offers a comprehensive worksheet. There are several others.
- Be aware of the care receiver’s favorite spots. Was their old home in the area? Where?
- Be aware of how to initiate a Silver Alert in case the care receiver goes missing. Contact your state police for more information. Facebook has a National Silver Alerts page for missing older adults.
- Have contact information for local hospitals and police departments readily available.
- Contact your local police department and let them know that you care for someone who is cognitively impaired.
- Find more tips on wandering at Coping with Alzheimer’s Behaviors: Wandering and Getting Lost from the National Institute on Aging. (These tips can help with any form of cognitive impairment.)
Altenheim Resource Services offers free, confidential information on aging resources and services. Contact us for assistance!
