My father who is on the cusp of moderate-late stage Alzheimer's has been wandering into other residents' bedrooms, often startling or scaring them in the middle of the night. The staff have put STOP signs on the doors of residents, and it worked for a bit, but it doesn't deter him now. He is quite determined and difficult to distract or re-direct.
I've seen black duct tape/mats at the doorways at Long-Term Care homes, as well as thick yellow banners. I will offer this as a suggestion to the home.
Are there any other solutions to this common behaviour?
I believe his behaviour is due to the isolation of Covid-19 protocols. All activities are cancelled, meals are delivered to rooms, and he is a prisoner of his room. My father used to be very active and I believe the boredom and frustration is the reason for his agitation and wandering.
My greatest fear is that he will be politely asked to leave, especially if his behaviour worsens or if there is physical confrontation with others. Any advice would be appreciated; thank you in advance!
what is the facility telling you? He really cannot continue this behavior. If the facility has a memory care wing, that may be a better idea.
The facility is asking me to hire a private caregiver for the nightshift (11pm-7am), however I already have a private caregiver going during daytime, 5 days a week.
He is on a light dosage of anxiety meds, and I'm planning to speak with his Geriatrician about this. A behavioural supports therapist has been consulted, however her suggestions were nothing new. I will try some other creative ways (perhaps distract him with another activity at night), but will resort to meds if all else fails. I need to work and cannot be there every night and sustain my life at once.
Is this actually assisted living? Or memory care? Sounds like he is in need of a higher level of care where there is a smaller population and more oversight. Have you tried speaking with the doctor about this behavior? There are med that may help with that.
Thanks for weighing in.
"Locking the door at night would be a big no no at a facility - not even suggested when home care is provided. How would he get out in an emergency? Sure, there are others around, but in moments of panic, those moments count!"
My fear with Assisted Living is that he might decide to wander out of the building and go missing. Memory Care typically is locked unit so residents can not leave without an escort
Thankfully, he's forgotten that he can go outside altogether since the lockdown. So until he can be transferred to Memory Care (locked floor), I won't be bringing him out lest he gets any ideas!
as you say, this is a very common problem. Making too much noise is much more likely to bring about an eviction.
Maybe if his TV was left on all night or listening to some of his favorite music. he would be more inclined to stay.
Maybe he's looking for a snac as my 96 yr old Dad wants a late snack after midnight, every night.
Can he have snacks in his room?
Can he have a Roommate?
Las result would be to install a lock on his door and lock it at night.
It sounds like he needs to be in a memory care unit, where there is more staff per patient so this wandering can be controlled.
Amother solution would be a sedative at night so he would sleep.
2) in one thread you lambaste NH, in the next you suggest it - are you confused or what?
He will wander even if in a NH, probably worse for it to happen there! NH (unless it is a MC section) is mostly for those who need specialized nursing care AND are more expensive than AL and MC. He would still wander in MC, but generally there are fewer residents and more staff than AL.
Blessings,
M
It only happened the one time so far, but like you, I was worried they would want her moved to a memory care unit.
A bigger concern would be that he would wander outside and get lost. If he is routinely wandering...maybe he does need more care...
AL sufferers have disrupted circadian rhythms, their bodies don’t recognize day from night. Is it possible to adjust the light on his room? Bright lights and open curtains during the day, dim lights and closed curtains at night. And yes, medications if necessary.
My mother in NH would get agitated and fell several time after being put to bed. The nurse and I discussed it, trying to figure out why. I think she thought she had forgotten to do something that had been part of her regular going to bed routine. I suggested a scripted bedtime routine, wash face with her favorite soap, brush hair, brush teeth, etc. That and an anti-anxiety med seems to be working.
the staff could easily look into the room to check on the resident.
there were hooks on the frame on each side of the door and plastic loops on each side of the material so it could be easily removed for entrance.
I think it’s pretty much expected behavior in memory care facilities, so I doubt he’d be asked to leave. One thing you could try is putting his photo on his door so he recognizes which room he belongs in
I apologize if you have already answered this, but is Dad in assisted living or memory care?
The isolation due to CoVid-19 has pushed my Aunt over the fine line of AL or Memory care. We had to move her to memory care last Saturday because of her wandering.
If Dad is not in memory care(I assume with his dx he is), he most certainly should be. The staff is more prepared to deal with his behavior.
Hang in there and God bless!
Does he really need someone during the day? Shift the hours to cover part of the night? While the virus is ongoing and we're in lock down, it is less likely he would get outside, since someone has to monitor the doors. It will still increase the cost, but reducing some daytime hours, if possible, can offset that, rather than having to hire people 24 hours!
An increase in medication just before bed might help - certainly monitor it for any adverse effects or increase in falls. Our mother only took these during the first weeks transition to MC and during treatment for UTI (caused severe afternoon/early evening sun-downing, something she had never had before!) It was the lowest dose and was given late enough that it helped her sleep through the night too. Never caused any falls and didn't interact with her BP meds.