An elderly person living alone has been found wandering the street in a confused state.

My 88 year old mother has done this three times.  The first occasion was while living in her own condominium - it was like sleep walking and she didn't recall doing it the next day.  The second and third occasions occurred while living in an "Independent Living" apartment that provided some supervision.  When discovered on one occasion, it was 2 AM and cold outside.  Mom wasn't dressed properly for being outdoors, and explained that she was 12 years old and was looking for her mother.  Although very confused, it was like a semi-conscious dream state that she was in.  She had wet her bed, got up, and left the building.  Safety concerns required moving her to a second floor assisted living apartment.  A person in this mental state of confusion cannot make rational judgments and may become physically injured in a fall or from some other unrecognized hazard.  A person having these difficulties should not be living alone since these episodes can have serious, or even fatal consequences.

I think Alzheimer's patients or the elders with dementia need to live in a controlled environment where the person cannot get out of the house without proper care (caregiver or shoes or coats.) Unless one is not diagnosed, I think these elders need to live in memory unit where the security is observed or in skilled care home when it is in later stage. Independent living is not for these elders for sure. If living at home, someone has to be nearby in case the person walks out with or without shoes and etc. One time my FIL walked to the front outside without shoes in the summer, the caregiver had to catch him in time after she did the laundry in the basement. Now he wear shoes all day. The other time when the caregiver left him alone by mistake, he went to the neighbor's in the hot day. This is serious issue, so we need to make sure the elders don't wander.

Nina

Hi, Paa Kay,

What happened in this situation? Did someone find this person? Or were the police called? I would hope that the authorities have contacted the next of kin so they become aware of what is happening so that they can work with the elderly person's doctor to determine what is causing the confused state.

Take care and keep us posted!

Dorian