If you’re a caregiver of an older adult who has cognitive issues related to dementia or other medical conditions, then you already know the importance of preventing wandering.
To help your loved one stay safe and to enhance your peace of mind, here are a few senior care tips that reduce the risk of wandering and allow you to act quickly when it does happen.
Update the locks in their home
It may be unsafe for your loved one to leave their house on their own without the care and protection of someone escorting them. The danger becomes even greater at night. One way to prevent this is to install additional locks or switch out the old ones with new locks that are not as easy to open.
Encourage them to carry identification at all times
In some cases regarding at-home care, wandering is inevitable. It’s prudent to take proactive steps now that will make it easier to find your loved one and to prevent the worst-case scenarios from unfolding. One of those steps is ensuring that their IDs are accurate, up to date, and with them at all times. A simple way to do this is to have them wear something like a piece of medical ID jewellery that contains their important information.
Consider using a GPS or other kind of tracking device
While the idea of carrying a GPS device may take some getting used to, for both your loved one and yourself, there’s no denying that this is a highly effective way of knowing where your loved one is at all times.
Final thoughts
Preventing wandering is a primary concern for caregivers. In deciding which safety measures are right for your situation, remember that your loved one’s perspective and preferences should always be heard and taken into account. Creating a safe, peaceful, and protected environment for your loved one should be a joint task and one that is both respectful and loving.
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