NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Someone with dementia who wanders can quickly become lost or disoriented, unable to remember how to get home or who to call. "Wandering is not simply taking a walk outside; wandering is somebody leaving from home," said Chris Schneider, the Director of Media Relations at the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. "They may not be appropriately dressed for the weather, and they can quickly become disoriented. They can become lost, they may not know how to call for help, who to call for help, or even that they're in danger." Older adults also face more significant challenges with cold weather. Alzheimer's disease can impair individuals' ability to recognize when they are too cold or at risk for hypothermia. That's why the Alzheimer's Association's program manager says it is important to recognize the signs of wandering before it happens. "Common signs a person may be at risk for wandering are: returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual, forgetting how to get to a familiar place, talking about fulfilling their former obligations such as going to work or going to church. Then trying to want to go home when they are already at home," said Julie Praska-Moser, the program manager at Alzheimer's Association - Grand Forks. Praska-Moser talked more about what caregivers can do to reduce the risk of wandering. "Identify what time of day the person is most likely to wander," she said. "For those who experience sundowning, this starts in the early evening. Plan activities and exercises to do during this time to help reduce that anxiety or agitation or restlessness." Schneider says that it is important to remove things that may trigger wandering in an individual. "You also want to try and remove things that may trigger the person to leave the home. So, for example, if you have keys or purses or jackets hanging right by the door, that can be an indication to the person that 'Hey, I should leave,'" Schneider noted. "You know, you want to minimize that and keep those items put away, have stimulating activities in the home accessible, and do it in a safe environment." He also says that this can happen to anyone with dementia at any time. "It can happen at any stage of dementia and it can happen to anyone living with dementia, and again, that's why it is so important for caregivers to be proactive and take steps to prevent wandering from happening and then have that safety plan in case, God forbid their loved one does wander off," Schneider said. Minot Area Chamber EDC looks for Junior Achievement Program volunteers AFA encourages family caregivers to follow these five steps to protect their loved ones:  Watch for nonverbal cues. Wandering often stems from an unmet need or desire (e.g. hunger, thirst, a need to use the bathroom, or a wish to engage in an activity). Looking for a signal that the person may need something (e.g. tugging on pants can be a sign that the person may need to use the bathroom) and quickly addressing it can reduce the chances of wandering. Sometimes, wandering can be a form of communication, especially if the person’s verbal skills are impaired. Watch for signs that loved ones may be frightened, anxious, stressed, or overstimulated, and take action to soothe and reassure them. Safeguard the home. Objects such as car keys, jackets, and purses, especially when left near a door, can motivate the person to leave suddenly. Avoid keeping these items out in the open. Install electronic chimes or doorbells on doors so someone is alerted if the individual tries to exit. Consider utilizing a smart doorbell with an app that can notify you when someone is entering or exiting the home.    Know your loved one’s patterns. Know what times of the day may be more triggering than others and provide activities during those periods. Encourage healthy sleep habits to reduce the chances the person might leave in the middle of the night. If your loved one does wander, keep a record of their patterns (frequency, duration, time of day, where they were found, etc.) to help guide you in the future.   Develop a safety plan. Compile pertinent information (e.g. recent close-up photo, medical information, a list of places the person may go) so that it can quickly be provided to first responders in an emergency. Maintain a list of people to contact if the person goes missing and ask neighbors to call you if they see the person out alone. When possible, encourage and incorporate input from the person when developing your plan.  Connect with your local public safety agency. Many communities have programs, such as Project Lifesaver, that allow you to voluntarily enroll your loved one to receive locating technology that first responders can activate if the person goes missing. Contact your local public safety agency to see if they offer this service or one that is similar. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with Dementia, reach out to the Alzheimer's Association for a free 24/7 Helpline at 1(800)-272-3900. Here is a link to AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline: https://alzfdn.org/afahelpline/ Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW