Dealing With Nighttime Wandering in People With Dementia

It’s common for a person with dementia to wake up at night and not feel sleepy. They may get up because they believe they have a task to fulfill or are trying to meet an imagined obligation, says Denny.

Other times, they may become over-stimulated by noise or activity around them, prompting anxiety and a desire to escape.

Remind them of where they are.

People with dementia may wander at night due to poor sleep habits. Frequent awakenings, pacing, or a desire to go home can trigger nighttime wandering. If the person has a sleep disorder, like depression or obstructive sleep apnea, treatment may help prevent wandering at night.

Leaving a glass of water or some crackers near the bed can also be helpful. If your loved one is a left-handed walker, keep track of their clothing to make sure they always have a shirt on their dominant side.

Try to avoid distractions in the room where your loved one tends to wander, such as TVs or music. It’s also important to take note of what times of day they are most likely to wander and try to engage them during those hours. Exercise and meaningful activities can also help curb wandering at night. For safety, install a latch or deadbolt on all doors leading out of the house.

Distract them.

At night, a person with dementia may feel restless and want to walk around. This can lead to them leaving the house and forgetting where they are or how to get back in. It’s important to distract your loved one to help them stay calm and safe.

For instance, if they are trying to go to the bathroom and don’t remember where it is located, you can practice walking the path with them before bed or put up signs with arrows to point the way. Medical Alert Australia Also, make sure they have plenty of water and snacks nearby at night to keep them from feeling hungry or thirsty. Ask them if they have any physical discomfort or pain and see how you can help them address it. You can also encourage them to participate in activities at Senior Services of America communities that take place throughout the day to stay engaged and prevent wandering.

Give them something to do.

Many people with dementia who wander at night are searching for familiar places like a childhood home or past jobs. They may also be seeking a sense of purpose or meaning. It’s important to find ways to give them meaningful and supervised activities.

If you notice your loved one getting restless at certain times of the day or night, try to plan activities around this. This might reduce their restlessness and prevent them from exiting the house. If a medical condition, such as sleep apnea or depression, is contributing to their nighttime agitation, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

A new study is looking at whether repurposed off-the-shelf technology that uses light and sound cues to (re)direct people with dementia who wander in the night can decrease their distress and improve caregivers’ sleep quality. If you’re interested in learning more, click here for more information.

Let them sleep.

A person with dementia can be more agitated at night and may feel the need to wander. This is called sundowning and can cause them to become frightened, aggressive, and unable to sleep. It is important to stay calm and distract them during outbursts, but only restrain them if necessary for safety reasons.

Poor sleep habits could be the cause of your loved one’s nighttime waking. Try to keep them on a regular schedule of going to bed and waking up, limit their naps during the day and cut out caffeinated drinks.

You can also invest in some alarms for your home. These devices include motion sensors, door alarms, and door or window monitors that can alert you when your loved one has left the house. You can even get an EmFinders bracelet for your loved one that uses cell phone-location technology to find them if they ever wander from their home. Investing in these preventative measures will help to alleviate your worries about them wandering at night.