One of the most unusual behaviors in the middle to late stages of Alzheimer's is incessant pacing, needing to be in constant motion, and unable to sit down or relax. My wife was actually very lethargic for the first 5 years after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, often spending her entire day watching television.
That all changed very rapidly when we moved across the country to live with our daughter and her family. I'm not certain whether it was triggered by the confusion she experienced living in a totally new environment, or a manifestation of the progression of the disease, or a combination of both - regardless, Kristie had to be on the move during the day. She would sit down to eat breakfast, but I often had to feed her spoonfuls of food for lunch and dinner as she paced back and forth in our home.
I would go walking with her in the morning and again in the afternoon - often walking 6 or 7 miles a day, which really tired me out - but she still would pace while we were home. The good news - both of us lost weight, were much more fit, and slept good at night. The bad news was Kristie would just open a door and wander off, even though she had no idea of where she was, or any idea of where she was going. We had to watch her constantly to keep her from getting lost.
As I have mentioned elsewhere, during my first Alzheimer's support group meeting, someone suggested I get child locks for our doors - which was a lifesaver! I wish every problem I encountered as a caregiver was fixed so readily. The child locks prevented Kristie from just wandering outside and getting lost; but it didn't stop her from pacing back and forth through the house, because she had to be on the move.
I have wondered if she was experiencing something like the nervousness you might have before making a big time presentation, or before an important interview, where you find yourself nervously pacing back and forth with an over-abundance of energy.
It is fascinating to visit a memory care facility and see residents who are in this phase and seem to be constantly in motion. Thankfully, they are in a safe environment that prevents them from just wandering off and getting lost. It's too bad we can't bottle some of that energy to share with those of us who lack the vitality to get anything done.
I highly recommend getting a medical ID bracelet for anyone with dementia that includes their name, condition and who to call if they should get lost; along with a tracking device or wander alert bracelet for those who wander.
Your comments below, or willingness to share your observations and experiences with pacing and wandering would be helpful and appreciated.
Resource Links
- Verywell Health - How to reduce and respond to pacing behaviors in dementia patients.
- Open to Hope - Dad won't quit pacing! What you need to know about agitation and Alzheimer's.
- Better Health While Aging - 7 steps to managing difficult dementia behaviors safely and without medications.
- Mayo Clinic - Alzheimer's: Understanding wandering and how to address it.
- UPMC.com - Wandering in patients with Alzheimer's and dementia.
- Alzheimer's Scotland - When people with dementia walk.
- Nursepartners.org - Responding to pacing behavior in dementia.
- Mashable.com - Does pacing back and forth actually help anxiety?
- Alzheimer's Net - 10 lifesaving location devices for dementia patients.
- Senior Link - The 30 best GPS trackers for seniors.
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