Seniors with dementia don’t typically try to wander off out of an intent to cause harm. Instead, your aging loved one might suddenly leave the house while trying to complete a former routine, or he or she could get confused while trying to manage daily activities. Taking a few simple precautions around the house can ease your worries about keeping your loved one safe.
Modify Exit Doors
Making a few simple changes to your loved one’s environment can prevent him or her from leaving the house. Painting doors the same color as the walls might stop your loved one from noticing them as much. You can also place greater emphasis on the doors your loved one might need to use. For instance, putting an image of a toilet on the bathroom door makes it less likely that your loved one will get confused and try to go through the front door instead.
If you’re concerned about the possibility of your loved one wandering, consider hiring a professional caregiver to keep him or her safe. If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care, Assisting Hands Home Care Fort Lauderdale is here to help. We are a trusted provider of in-home care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
Hide Trigger Items
The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” works well for seniors with dementia. Try to avoid placing keys, hats, and other common objects by the front door that your loved one might associate with leaving. If your loved one is no longer able to drive, keeping the keys either on your person or in a locked location makes it less likely that he or she will hop in the car and drive for miles before being found.
Install Monitoring Devices
Modern technology provides many benefits for families with loved ones who might wander. Pressure-sensitive mats can sound an alarm when your loved one gets out of bed or steps too close to an exit door. Doorbell cameras and automated locking systems offer further protection against wandering. You can also use wearable technology to track your loved one’s location. GPS-tracking shoes and necklaces are two options to consider for quickly locating your loved one if he or she does step outside the home.
Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Fort Lauderdale families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care.
Help Them Sleep Better
Wandering often happens at night when a senior wakes up and begins to move around the house unattended. Many seniors have difficulty sleeping through the night due to various health conditions. However, you can make it more likely your loved one will sleep by paying attention to his or her daily routine. Providing plenty of things to do during the day can encourage your loved one to be tired when it’s bedtime. Sticking to a schedule for going to bed and waking up may also help your loved one’s body prepare to rest all night long.
Provide More Supervision
All of the gadgets in the world still can’t replace human intervention. Seniors in the early stages of dementia might be fine being left alone for short periods, but they’ll likely need more supervision as time goes on. If your loved one wakes up frequently during the night, hiring an overnight caregiver can ensure your parent doesn’t leave the house while you sleep. Or you might want to bring an extra caregiver along on outings to keep an eye on your loved one while you check out at the grocery store or run to the bathroom in a restaurant. At home, a caregiver can keep your loved one distracted with fun activities so he or she doesn’t wander out of boredom.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family members. Families looking for top-rated Fort Lauderdale home care service providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at +1 754-900-5102 today.
