Wandering is one of the most dangerous and scary issues associated with dementia.
You can decrease the chances of wandering by focusing on triggers and creating a safe environment. This can mean less stress, anxiety and fear for all.
Facts about wandering:
• It can happen in ANY stage of the disease.
• A person who has wandered once is at increased risk for it to happen again.
• The best wandering prevention is before a wandering incident ever occurs.
Causes, Triggers and Warning Signs for Wandering:
• Boredom, restlessness and a lack of physical activity.
• Frustration or anger with their caregiver, feeling the need to “get away” from them.
• Feeling that they need to “get home” though they are home.
• Not being able to find someone, something, or someplace.
• Trouble finding the bathroom and opening an exterior door.
• Delirium or confusion from a UTI or dehydration.
• A move to a new, unfamiliar location.
• A person who is high energy and constantly moving.
Wandering Prevention:
• Physical and mental activities throughout the day to prevent that bored and restless feeling.
• Be positive and reassuring so that you are not the reason they want to leave.
• If they say, “I want to go home,” be comforting and reassuring rather than telling them that they are home.
• Don’t leave them alone.
• Be sure their bodily needs are met – Are they hungry or thirsty? Do they need to use the toilet?
• Increase lighting. A shadowy house can feel unfamiliar.
• Put bathroom signs on the bathroom door.
• Put stop signs on the front door or cover them with a camouflage poster.
• Install barriers and alarms on doors and windows.
• Get a wearable GPS device.
• Let your neighbors know your family member is a wandering risk.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Amy Kowinsky, Executive Director of Dementia360. Dementia360 is a Presbyterian SeniorCare Network support program for family caregivers of people living with dementia.
The Importance of Meal Preparation for SeniorsEating well is essential for seniors to stay healthy, maintain strength, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. However, aging often brings challenges that interfere with regular eating habits: Limited mobility or arthritis can make it difficult to stand, chop, or lift cookware. Cognitive decline may cause a person to forget meals or how to safely use kitchen appliances. Loss of appetite or interest in cooking, especially when living alone. Dietary restrictions that require careful meal planning. With a little help, many seniors can continue enjoying nutritious meals that support their health and well-being. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Help with Meal Prep1. Meal Planning and Grocery AssistanceCaregivers can help plan meals that are both nutritious and tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs. Whether following a doctors recommendations or simply planning favorite family recipes, caregivers help seniors feel involved and in control. They can also assist with creating shopping lists and even accompany the senior to the store or coordinate grocery delivery.2. Safe Meal PreparationFrom chopping vegetables to using the stove, many kitchen tasks can pose risks for older adults. Caregivers take care of the preparationwashing, slicing, cooking, and plating mealsensuring everything is handled safely and hygienically.3. Accommodating Special DietsWhether a senior needs a low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, soft, or heart-healthy diet, caregivers can prepare meals that follow those guidelines. This attention to detail helps seniors stay healthy while still enjoying their food.4. Encouraging Regular Eating HabitsSkipping meals or snacking instead of eating real meals is common among seniors. Caregivers gently remind and encourage clients to eat at regular times, promoting better nutrition and preventing unintended weight loss or blood sugar fluctuations.5. Companionship During MealsMealtimes can be lonely for seniors who live alone, often leading to a loss of appetite. Caregivers can provide companionship at the table, turning meals into a more social and enjoyable experience.6. Light CleanupAfter the meal, caregivers help with light kitchen cleanupwashing dishes, wiping counters, and putting leftovers away. This ensures a clean and safe space, and takes a burden off the seniors shoulders. Supporting Independence and DignityNon-medical home care companies empower seniors to remain in their homes while receiving the help they need to stay nourished and healthy. Care is always respectful and centered around the individualensuring that seniors continue to feel independent, heard, and valued.
Understanding Dementia and Its ChallengesDementia is not a specific disease but a general term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimers disease is the most common form, but there are many others, including vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. Symptoms vary, but often include memory loss, confusion, difficulty communicating, mood changes, and trouble with daily tasks.Because dementia is progressive, care needs increase over time. While medical treatment can help manage symptoms, consistent daily support is crucialand thats where non-medical home care can make a significant difference. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Help with Dementia Care1. Creating a Familiar and Safe EnvironmentRemaining in the comfort of home can help reduce confusion and anxiety for someone with dementia. Caregivers help maintain a structured, familiar environment, which is essential for individuals who may become disoriented or overwhelmed by changes.2. Assistance with Daily ActivitiesDementia can make simple taskslike bathing, dressing, eating, and groomingdifficult. Caregivers provide gentle, respectful assistance, promoting independence while ensuring safety and dignity.3. Establishing RoutinesConsistency is key for dementia care. Home care providers help establish daily routines for meals, hygiene, rest, and activities. This structure reduces confusion and can help minimize agitation or behavioral issues.4. Providing Mental and Social StimulationEngagement is vital for slowing cognitive decline. Caregivers interact with clients through meaningful conversation, music, puzzles, memory games, or simply looking through old photos. These interactions offer emotional comfort and help keep the mind active.5. Managing Behavioral ChangesDementia can lead to behaviors like wandering, aggression, or agitation. Trained caregivers are equipped with techniques to respond calmly and effectively, helping to de-escalate situations and create a soothing atmosphere.6. Ensuring SafetyFrom installing safety locks to guiding a client away from hazards, caregivers are trained to prevent accidents and reduce the risk of wandering. Their presence provides an added layer of security for both the client and their family.7. Supporting Family CaregiversCaring for someone with dementia is emotionally and physically demanding. Non-medical home care companies offer respite caregiving family members time to rest, recharge, or tend to personal matters while knowing their loved one is in good hands.
What Is End-of-Life Care?End-of-life care focuses on enhancing comfort and quality of life during the final stages of a terminal illness or advanced aging. While hospice care handles the medical aspectssuch as pain management and symptom controlnon-medical home care provides essential daily support that allows individuals to remain in a familiar and loving environment, surrounded by those who matter most. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Can Help1. Providing Comfort and Daily AssistanceAt the end of life, everyday tasks often become too difficult to manage alone. Caregivers offer gentle assistance with personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, repositioning, and feedingensuring the person remains clean, comfortable, and dignified.2. Companionship and Emotional SupportCaregivers provide more than physical helpthey offer a calm, reassuring presence. Whether sitting quietly by the bedside, reading aloud, or simply holding a hand, caregivers create meaningful moments of connection and ease emotional distress for both the individual and their family.3. Supporting the FamilyEnd-of-life situations are emotionally and physically exhausting for family caregivers. Non-medical home care companies step in to provide respitegiving family members time to rest, recharge, or tend to their own well-being, knowing their loved one is in compassionate hands.4. Creating a Peaceful EnvironmentCaregivers help maintain a soothing, calm atmosphere at home. This may involve keeping the room clean, adjusting lighting, playing soft music, or offering warm blanketsall small gestures that enhance comfort during the final days or weeks of life.5. Assisting with Meal Preparation and FeedingWhen eating is still possible, caregivers prepare soft, nutritious meals or comfort foods tailored to the persons preferences. For those who can no longer eat, caregivers provide mouth care and hydration support to reduce discomfort.6. Maintaining Dignity and RespectAbove all, non-medical caregivers treat each client with unwavering dignity and respect. They recognize the importance of personal values, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs, ensuring care aligns with what matters most to the individual and their family. Partnering with Hospice and Healthcare Providers Non-medical home care companies often work in tandem with hospice teams, nurses, and social workers. Together, they create a comprehensive circle of care. While hospice addresses medical needs, caregivers focus on practical and emotional supportmaking the home a safe, nurturing place to say goodbye.
Because Life Doesn't Prepare Anyone to be a Dementia Family CaregiverDiscover Peace of Mind: Dementia Caregiver Support Compassionate Help for Family CaregiversCaring for a loved one with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia is one of the most profound and challenging roles a family member can undertake. The emotional, physical, and mental toll of dementia caregiving can be overwhelming, leaving many family caregivers feeling isolated, exhausted, and unsure of where to turn. Thats where the Dementia Caregiver Support Program from Presbyterian SeniorCare Network steps in offering family caregivers a reliable partner in care, education, and emotional support.Who Should EnrollNo matter where you are on the journey of caring for a family member with dementia, it's never too early or late to ask for help. Every person is impacted differently by dementia, ever caregiver faces different challenges. Finding answers and solutions is a very personal journey, a journey you do not have to go on alone. People typically join our program because they feel unprepared to properly support a loved one living with dementia, isolated or alone because of the challenges of providing care or getting through the day, increasingly stressed about the responsibility of providing care and know that the anxiety will grow as time passes, or scared because they are facing a new diagnosis and wanting to learn all they can so they can manage the disease as well as they can. Tailored Dementia Support for Pittsburgh Family CaregiversAt Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, we understand that caring for someone with dementia goes beyond providing meals and managing medications it is about learning how to better manage the day to day of living with dementia and continue to do the things that make life worth living. Our Dementia Caregiver Support Program is designed specifically for family caregivers who would like to keep their loved ones at home living comfortably and safely for as long as possible, and have a life that is better because they have the knowledge, confidence, and support to be successful.As a caregiver, you dont have to navigate this journey alone. Our program is built around real-world challenges family caregivers face, offering evidence-based dementia education, compassionate peer connections, and practical resources that help caregivers and their loved ones lead more fulfilling lives.What Makes Our Dementia Caregiver Support Program Unique?Family caregivers in Pittsburgh who partner with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network gain access to a community of experienced professionals and fellow caregivers who understand the complexities of dementia care. Heres what sets our program apart:Personalized Support: Dementia impacts every family differently. Our caregiver support specialists take the time to understand your specific situation and offer coaching and support thats meaningful and applicable to your situationEducational Resources: Caregiving often comes with uncertainty. We offer comprehensive dementia care training and resources, empowering caregivers with proven strategies to manage difficult behaviors, reduce confusion, and create safe, supportive environmentsEmotional Well-Being for CaregiversCaring for someone with dementia can be emotionally draining. Our support program gives caregivers the tools to manage stress, avoid burnout, and maintain a healthy balance between caregiving and self-carePeer Connection and CommunityFamily caregivers often feel like theyre facing the challenges of dementia alone. Our program connects caregivers with peer support groups in the Pittsburgh area, offering a safe space to share experiences, swap caregiving tips, and build lasting friendships.Access to Presbyterian SeniorCare Networks Trusted Services: As part of our mission, caregivers gain access to a full continuum of trusted senior living options, dementia care services, and long-term care planning resources all designed to ease the caregiving journey.Why Pittsburgh Families Trust Presbyterian SeniorCare NetworkAs one of Western Pennsylvanias most respected providers of senior living and dementia care solutions, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is deeply rooted in the Pittsburgh community. Our Dementia Caregiver Support Program is not only built on years of compassionate service but also on research-backed best practices that prioritize the dignity and comfort of those living with Alzheimers and related dementias and their family caregivers.We know that quality dementia care starts with an empowered, supported caregiver. Whether youre providing care at home, considering senior living options, or facing tough decisions about long-term care, our program is here to help you make the best choices for your loved one.Join a Caregiving Community That Understands YouFamily caregivers of people with dementia face countless emotional and logistical decisions every day. With Presbyterian SeniorCare Network by your side, youll never have to walk that path alone. Our Dementia Caregiver Support Program is here to help you find strength, strategies, community, and peace of mind as you care for your loved one.Joining our support network means gaining a deeper understanding of dementia, improving your caregiving skills, and finding hope even in difficult moments. Whether your loved one is newly diagnosed or in the advanced stages of dementia, we meet you where you are and walk with you on the journey ahead.How to Get StartedIf youre a family caregiver in Pittsburgh looking for dementia caregiver resources, support groups, or senior living guidance, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is your go-to partner for compassionate and informed help. We make it easy to start: Contact us directly to speak with a Caregiver Support Specialist. Explore our website for free resources and upcoming support events. Join a dementia caregiver support group and connect with others who understand your journey.Your Loved One Deserves the Best and So Do YouAt Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, we believe that supporting family caregivers is one of the most powerful ways to improve the lives of people living with dementia. You give so much of yourself to your loved one let us give you the resources, community, and support you need to thrive.Dont wait until burnout strikes. Start building your caregiver support system today by reaching out to the compassionate team at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. Contact us to learn more about how our Dementia Caregiver Support Program can help your family.