Complete Aid Limited

Reposted from For a person living with dementia, it is not uncommon for them to say that they want to go home. This can be caused by time shifting or general confusion which can be distressing for everyone.

It can be difficult to know what to say or how to handle this situation to help minimise the person’s distress as much as possible.

Here are five things to remember when someone with dementia is asking to go home:
1. Avoid arguing about whether they are already ‘home'. When a person with dementia asks to go home it often refers to the sense of ‘home’ rather than the place itself.

2. Reassure them of their safety. They could be living somewhere different from where they have lived before and need to know they are cared for.

3. Try diverting the conversation. Having a distraction like a book or photo, can help ease person’s feelings of anxiety by giving them a chance to reminisce.

4. Establish whether or not they are feeling unhappy or lonely. Sometimes a person with dementia may want to ‘go home’ because they feel anxious or unhappy so establishing their mood can help understand more.

5. Keep a log of when they are asking to go home. For example, is it later in the day and possibly due to sundowning? Is it near meal times or when the environment is noisier than