The Caring Corner®
When Your Loved One Keeps Saying They Want To Go Home
Here are some tips on what to tell your loved one with dementia when he keeps saying that he wants to go home:
- Acknowledge his feelings. Let your loved one know that you understand how he feels and that it’s okay to miss his home.
- Reassure him that he’s safe. Tell him that he’s safe where he is and that you’re there to take care of him.
- Redirect his attention. Try to distract him with something else, such as a conversation or a favorite activity.
- Take him for a walk. Sometimes getting some fresh air and exercise can help to calm someone down.
- Ask for help. If you’re struggling to manage your loved one’s behavior, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a caregiver or a professional.
It’s important to remember that people with dementia often have difficulty understanding the present. When they say they want to go home, they may be referring to a time when they felt safe and secure. It’s also possible that they are simply confused and trying to make sense of their surroundings.
The best way to respond to your loved one’s behavior is to be patient and understanding. Try to see things from their perspective and offer them the comfort and reassurance they need.
If you need caregivers to assist with home care or elder care in Durham or Chapel Hill, call us. Experienced caregivers and CNAs can provide simple companionship or may help people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, on hospice and bed bound patients. From a few hours per visit to 24/7 care.
