For a patient with dementia in a long-term care facility, which intervention best addresses wandering risk?

For a patient with dementia in a long-term care facility, which intervention best addresses wandering risk?

• A. Increase sedation
• B. Interventions to maintain safety (supervision and environmental safety)
• C. Isolate the patient
• D. Do nothing

Answer: (B)

Wandering in dementia is best addressed with safety-focused planning that combines close supervision with environmental safeguards. When someone with dementia wanders, the immediate risk is injury, elopement, or exposure to hazards. Providing ongoing supervision helps detect and intervene quickly if wandering begins, while environmental safety measures reduce the chance of harm if they do wander. This includes securing exits appropriately, removing tripping hazards, improving lighting, and creating safe, accessible spaces for movement, along with structured routines and engaging activities to reduce restlessness. Sedation is not suitable because it carries significant risks for older adults with dementia, including falls, increased confusion, and decreased function. Isolating the patient can worsen agitation and ethical concerns arise from restricting freedom. Doing nothing leaves the risk unaddressed and endangers safety.

Wandering in dementia is best addressed with safety-focused planning that combines close supervision with environmental safeguards. When someone with dementia wanders, the immediate risk is injury, elopement, or exposure to hazards. Providing ongoing supervision helps detect and intervene quickly if wandering begins, while environmental safety measures reduce the chance of harm if they do wander. This includes securing exits appropriately, removing tripping hazards, improving lighting, and creating safe, accessible spaces for movement, along with structured routines and engaging activities to reduce restlessness.

Sedation is not suitable because it carries significant risks for older adults with dementia, including falls, increased confusion, and decreased function. Isolating the patient can worsen agitation and ethical concerns arise from restricting freedom. Doing nothing leaves the risk unaddressed and endangers safety.