Wandering
Description of Behavior
Wandering or pacing is sometimes referred to as “aimless” walking. This can also refer to restlessness or excessive moving around during the day or evening.
Why behavior might occur
While the behavior wandering appears pointless to the outside viewer, the behavior often has a purpose for the person with dementia. Common reasons a person with dementia wanders are to increase exercise, reduce boredom, to reduce anxiety or confusion about where one is, or attempt to return to a similar place or person, or in search of security or a specific location (ie, bathroom).
Responding to Wandering/ Pacing
- Ensure that the area the person wanders in is safe for them.
- Create “rest stations” with benches and additional engaging stimuli such as pictures, scents, recorded sounds wall art or an activity board in hallways or wandering areas that provide opportunities for tactile stimulation.
- Reduce unnecessary objects at rest stations, but leave some objectives accessible to the person that may be of interest to him/her.
- If a person is exit-seeking (trying to leave the unit or constantly looking for doors or exits) they may be bored or may be expressing a need or interest in going outdoors. Disguising doorways with murals or wall-hangings might reduce exit-seeking.
- Schedule outdoor or off-unit activities for someone who is frequently exist-seeking.
- If the person seems to be looking for personal items, consider producing duplicates for them-such as a wallet or purse- so they are readily available.
