Elderly Persons
Dementia
Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's &
Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an overall term that describes a group of symptoms.
What to Expect
In the early stages of dementia, memory loss and confusion are often subtle. Individuals may recognize these changes and feel frustrated as they struggle to recall recent events, make decisions, or fully understand conversations.
In the later stages, memory loss becomes significantly more severe. Individuals may no longer recognize family members, forget relationships, call loved ones by incorrect names, or become disoriented about where they are or the passage of time. They may also lose the ability to understand the purpose of everyday items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes can be especially difficult and emotional for caregivers and families.
Stay Calm and Understanding
Even though it can be painful to be called by the wrong name or not recognized, try not to show your hurt.
Utilize Reminders and Offer Suggestions
Use photographs and other meaningful items to help prompt memories of important relationships and places.
Use Brief Explanations and Avoid Scolding
Avoid overwhelming the person with long explanations or detailed reasoning.
Wandering
Alzheimer’s disease can impair a person’s ability to recognize familiar faces and surroundings. As a result, individuals living with dementia may wander or become disoriented, sometimes losing track of where they are—at any stage of the condition.
Plan Ahead
Encourage neighbors, friends, and family to reach out if they notice the person wandering, appearing lost, or dressed inappropriately for the situation.
Keep an up-to-date, close-up photo of the individual readily available to share with law enforcement if needed.
Familiarize yourself with the person’s neighborhood and identify nearby hazards, such as bodies of water, open stairwells, dense vegetation, tunnels, bus stops, and busy roads.
Make a list of locations the person may be drawn to, such as former workplaces, previous homes, places of worship, or favorite restaurants.
Take Action
Begin searching right away. As you do, take into account whether the person is right- or left-handed, as wandering patterns often follow the direction of their dominant hand.
Start by searching the immediate area, as many individuals who wander are located within about 1.5 miles of where they went missing.
Search nearby terrain such as ponds, tree lines, and fence lines, as individuals are often found in dense brush or undergrowth.
If relevant, check locations where the person has previously wandered.