Patient Who Tends to Wander

• Recognize common precursors to wandering, such as restlessness and disorientation.
• Reassure and reorient the person.
• Reduce noise levels and confusion.
• Involve the person in productive daily activities and exercise.
• Have a written plan for yourself if the person does wander.
• Keep a recent photograph of the person to give to police if the person does wander.
• Inform the police and your neighbors of the person’s tendency to wander.
• Have the person wear bright, distinctive clothing.

Patient Who Rummages and Hides Things

Protect your valuables, and hide dangerous or toxic products from the person. Take some time to:

• Lock cabinets and specific rooms.
• Store valuables and unsafe substances out of reach of the person.
• Learn where the person tends to hide objects.

You can also create diversions. Try these tips:

• Use a basket of towels or laundry. They may repeat folding the items in the basket for a period of time.
• Give them a box of mixed objects to sort out, such as screws, bolts, or beads.
• Create a special place, such as a chest of drawers, a box, or chest.

Patient Who Becomes Angry or Aggressive

• Identify the immediate cause, if possible.
• Do not take the person’s belligerence personally.
• Reassure the person.
• Do not confront the person about their behavior, it may be beyond their control.
• Avoid using restraint. This may further frustrate the person.
• If needed, step back and stand away from the person. Give the person a safe space to let their anger play out.
• Try a relaxing activity, such as having the person listen to soothing music.
• Look for patterns in potential anger triggers.

Patient Who Hallucinates or Is Paranoid

• Don’t argue with the person about whether or not what they are talking about is real.
• Increase lighting so there are less shadows.
• Remove or cover mirrors.
• Stay calm. If safe to do so, provide reassuring words and a comforting touch.

Patient Who Cannot Sleep at Night

• Limit intake of caffeine.
• Increase physical activity during the day.
• Limit naps.
• Establish a nighttime routine, including calming elements, such as a bath and a warm drink, such as milk.
• Keep a nightlight on.

Patient Who Refuses to Eat

• Provide the person with a number of small meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals.
• Make the person’s favorite food.
• Provide finger food.
• Provide soft foods that don’t require chewing.
• Remove distractions during mealtimes.
• Have a different caregiver help the person with eating.

If the behaviors do not improve, talk to the doctor. Medications can be adjusted or changed.