I knew Jeff could not find his way home from more than a block away, but he has not strayed since his sense of direction has gotten so bad. Until today. Daughter #1 went out with the dog to look around the neighborhood. Meanwhile, I got a call. A lady who recognized Jeff from the hardware store (his former business) and knows something about his status saw him across the street from her house, figured this wasn't right, looked up our #, and called me. Then went over and chatted with him while I skedaddled over to get him. He'd gotten about 4 blocks away and confessed that, no, he hadn't known how to get home from there.
Which is what I thought would happen. Someone around here would recognize him and help. Still. I hope he won't do that again. That's a problem inherent in this ailment though. Even though Jeff's version, PCA, is more visuospatial than memory, he is still somewhat memory impaired and may forget that wandering off doesn't work out well for him. Sigh.
Emily, that's why I have an alarm on our door, so I know when my wife tries to get out. I don't know how far she would go. Maybe next time, instead of calling her back, I'll just follow and see where she goes (we're on the second floor of a retirement apartment building.)
I don't want to keep him from going outside, since breaking up sticks in the yard is one of his best forms of entertainment. If he really didn't know where he lived/who people were/typical AD memory confusion I suppose I'd have to be restrictive. Mostly, he seems aware of his limitations in navigating, but obviously, when cognitive impairment is present, all bets are off. This certainly adds weight to my conclusion that I'll need to hire a helper for when my class starts in the Fall.
Breaking up sticks and walking are good entertainment for my hb, too. We live in the country w/woods around us. BUT since he walked into the woods, and I could see, him, all doors are locked now. He was unable, physically, to walk back to the house even tho' he could see it. I take him out when I do yard work in fits and starts because he won't stay where I can see him. I think there was a song, The Happy Wanderer. That's him in or out of the house.
during the summer months even in the yards i would be cautious about snakes too. where theres sticks maybe critters. i dont think they would be able to decifer the difference or heed a warning. especially in the country.== my experience was once the wandering starts for whatever reasons it can happen again.
I only went in the bathroom for a cpl minutes at 10:00 pm an when I came out LO was long gone found her in the middle of four lanes of traffic with a 100# dog on a leash,there does come a time when ya can't trust them for a minute,never spent another night at home
It is so hard to keep taking away things from our spouses that they enjoy. *sigh.... I too found that once it started, it continued. For his safety I too had to install alarms and supervise him outside. Best of luck Emily, I hope it was a one-time thing and not a permanent "step down"
Joyce43* (not texasjoe) I started out with alarms on all outside doors but that proved not to work when dh decided to go for a walk. At first he would go for a walk and I would follow him in the car. When he started looking tired, I would pull up next to him and ask if he'd like a ride home. He would always say yes and get in the car. That worked fine until he decided to leave while I was in the bathroom. By the time I got to the door, He was out of sight. It took two neighbors and two police cars over two hours to find him while all I could do was sit on the front porch and wait. It was a very long two hours. After that I installed keyed dead bolts on all outside doors. Those locks helped me relax more than anything else I did. It didn't seem to bother him when he couldn't open the doors. I kept the key on a hook above the door. He never looked above the door knob