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Wandering

Unfortunately, about 60% of people with dementia have a tendency to walk off, wander aimlessly, and become lost, often repeatedly.

Restlessness, fear, confusion related to time, the inability to recognize familiar people, places, and objects, as well as stress can all cause wandering.

In some cases, the person might leave the house in the middle of the night to fulfill a physical need, such as finding a toilet or food, or he may be attempting to “go home” because he doesn’t realize he is home or he believes it’s 20 years earlier and he needs to go to a former job.

Next: Repetitive speech or actions