Waking up and realizing a loved one with dementia is moving around the house – or worse, trying to leave – can be frightening. Dementia wandering at night can put someone at risk of falls, getting lost, or encountering unsafe conditions outside the home.
While wandering cannot always be prevented, understanding what may be behind it and putting safeguards in place can make nighttime safer for everyone.
Understanding the Dangers of Dementia Wandering at Night
Nighttime wandering can put a loved one at risk of falls, injuries, getting lost, or leaving the home without appropriate clothing or supervision. Because it often happens when others are asleep, there may also be a delay before anyone realizes something is wrong.
For families, the constant worry can make restful sleep difficult and create an ongoing sense of being on alert.
Why Does Dementia Wandering Happen?
Sundowning and Circadian Rhythm Disruptions
Some people with dementia become more restless, confused, or agitated later in the day, often referred to as sundowning. Changes in sleep patterns can also lead to waking and moving around during the night.
Unmet Basic Needs
Hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, or simply feeling uncomfortable may prompt a loved one to get up and start searching for what they need.
Searching for the Past
A person may believe they need to go to work, return to a previous home, or find someone from an earlier time in their life.
Restlessness and Anxiety
Too little activity during the day, unfamiliar surroundings, or feelings of anxiety can also contribute to pacing and wandering.
What Stage of Dementia is Wandering Most Common?
The Middle Stages of Cognitive Decline
Families often notice wandering becoming more concerning as dementia progresses and confusion about familiar places increases. However, there is no single stage when wandering begins – it can occur at any stage of dementia.
6 Proven Strategies: How to Keep Dementia Patients from Wandering
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Install Alarms and Strategic Locks
Door alarms, monitoring devices, and locks positioned out of direct sight can alert you when a loved one is trying to leave. Never create a setup that prevents safe exit during an emergency.
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Disguise Exits and Doors
A removable curtain, screen, or door covering that blends into the surrounding wall may make an exit less visually noticeable.
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Establish a Calming Evening Routine
Keep evenings familiar and predictable. Quiet conversation, a favorite activity, or another relaxing routine can help reduce restlessness before bedtime.
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Limit Daytime Napping and Caffeine
Encouraging daytime activity and limiting late-day naps may make nighttime sleep easier. Caffeine later in the day may also interfere with rest.
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Leave Soft Nightlights On
Nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms can make the home easier to navigate if your loved one wakes during the night.
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Ensure Basic Physical Needs Are Met Before Bed
Before bedtime, make sure your loved one has eaten, is comfortable, and has had an opportunity to use the bathroom.
Emergency Preparedness: What to Do if They Wander
If your loved one is at risk of wandering, a few simple preparations can make it easier to respond quickly:
- Keep a recent photo handy in case you need to share it with authorities.
- Tell trusted neighbors that your loved one may wander so they know to contact you if they see them outside alone.
- Consider an identification or location device that can help with a faster response.
- Begin searching immediately if you realize your loved one is missing.
- Call 911 if they are not found within 15 minutes, and be sure to tell authorities that the missing person has dementia.
Finding Peace of Mind: When to Consider Overnight Memory Care
If nighttime wandering has become difficult to manage safely, your family doesn’t have to handle it alone. Care Advantage, Inc. offers compassionate Dementia Care that can include overnight or around-the-clock support based on your loved one’s needs.
Families may also qualify for added dementia and caregiver support through the GUIDE program, which is designed to help people living with dementia remain safely at home while supporting those who care for them.
Contact Care Advantage, Inc. to discuss a personalized care assessment and learn how a trusted Caregiver can give you peace of mind.
