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How to Prevent Wandering with Alzheimer's Alarm Devices

Updated: Sep 8, 2023



Getting lost and wandering away is common and frightening symptoms for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia and can be extremely concerning for their families and carers. However, care givers can prevent wandering from home with simple alarm devices that alert them to wandering and offer peace of mind.


What causes wandering for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia?


If those with Alzheimer’s or dementia can walk unassisted, they will tend to wander which is a dangerous behaviour as they can easily become lost, disoriented and confused.


According to Dementia Australia, several things can trigger wandering including;


  • Changed environment

  • Loss of memory

  • Excess energy

  • Searching for the past

  • Expressing boredom

  • Continuing a habit

  • Pain or discomfort

  • Restlessness and anxiety

How to prevent wandering with simple home alarm devices


Various things can be done around the home to prevent or alert caregivers to a wandering loved one. Assisted technology including pressure mats, bed pads and anti-wandering door alarms are easy to install / set up options that can prevent wandering.


Using a pressure-sensitive mat alarm


These alarms are placed by the bed or in a doorway to monitor when a loved one gets up or leaves their room

The Economy Cordless Fall Prevention Alarm and Cordless Floor Mat kit provide affordable and effective cord-free wireless monitoring with a range up to 100m.

The monitor can be mounted away from the bed, removing in-room alarm noise and reducing entanglements and tripping hazards.


Benefits of choosing cordless alarm devices


While cordless alarm devices are slightly more expensive than corded devices, they offer the benefit of a “quieter” alert system.


Alarm volume can be set at various levels. A cordless alarm system allows the alarm to be set in the senior’s room to quiet mode while it can be set to medium or high volume in the carer’s room. This means there is no loud noise in the room which can startle someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.


With corded alarm systems, the pressure mat is connected to the alarm monitor by a cord. The placement of the alarm monitor is determined by the length of the cord connecting the monitor and the mat. This means the alarm is usually placed near the mat.


Choosing a cordless option also removes tripping hazards which can lead to dangerous falls.

 

Install an anti-wandering door alarm


With anti-wandering door alarms, you no longer have to worry about your elderly loved one wandering out of your home or nursing care. It is specifically designed to help the caregiver

Anti-wandering door alarms are specifically designed to prevent a senior loved one from leaving the home by alerting the caregiver. In nursing home facilities, anti-wandering door alarms prevent a resident from leaving a designated room.



How do door alarms work?


There are two key parts to an anti-wandering door alarm - the door monitor bar and a wristband which is worn by the senior. The wristband has a small transmitter which triggers the door monitor bar when the doorway threshold is crossed. In turn, this alerts the caregiver by sounding an alarm.

The Caregiver can silence the alarm using the reset button located a little way away from the door.


The TL-4005HOME Anti-Wandering Single Door Alarm System includes a door alarm, resident wristband and caregiver pager.


View our range of anti-wandering alarms and fall alarms here. If you have any questions at all about a product, please reach out to our friendly team on info@adaptiveclothingaustralia.com





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