9 Signs Your Loved One Might Have Alzheimer’s Disease

6. Not Aware of Location; Wanders

Has your loved one recently had trouble remembering where they live? Or do they wander around their neighborhood because they don’t recognize the surroundings? These signs are reflective of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, as they often can’t remember where they’re at. This can result in a lot of time spent wandering around or driving through town without complete awareness that they’re actually lost. To make things even worse, if the same individual forgets their name or address completely, they could find it very difficult to receive help for finding their way back.

There are many reasons why wandering occurs in the first place, one of the most common being simple confusion about where the individual is. However, some may also do it out of compulsion or because they feel an urge to do so. In addition to this, many Alzheimer’s sufferers wander because they want to “go home”, even if they’ve been living at the same residence for decades.

Wandering or a loss of location awareness two of the most common symptoms that prompt families to move their loved one into a care facility or with a full-time nurse who can watch them. If this is something new that you’ve noticed, it’s recommended to record the frequency, time, and duration of the wandering so you can discuss changes with their care provider.