Back to Mom Wanders
18 articles
The full index
Every piece this desk has published, newest first: the late-day window, the doorway, the house, the night, and what to do if she is gone.
- Why does Mom keep trying to leave the house, and what do I do in that moment
When a mother with dementia keeps trying to leave the house: what to do in the moment, what to change in the house, and how to cover the hour she usually tries. Cited to the Alzhei2026-09-11 - Why does Mom get agitated every evening, and what can I change before dusk
When Mom gets agitated every evening: sundowning named by the NIA, and a before-dusk change list arranged by the clock. Cited to the Alzheimer's Association and NIA, 2026.2026-09-11 - She does not recognize this house and wants to go home. What do I say?
Home is a feeling, not an address. What to say when a mother with dementia does not recognize this house, what not to say, well-loved objects, a walk out and back in, and dusk ligh2026-09-11 - Mom was just diagnosed with dementia. What do I do first?
The first week after a dementia diagnosis, in order: sit with the news, call the Helpline once, one written question for the doctor, tell the siblings, leave the house as a house, 2026-09-11 - Mom was found wandering the neighborhood. What do I do now?
She is already home. Do not scold, check her over, change the house tonight, tell neighbors and local police, keep a photo ready, and why Missouri's Endangered Silver Advisory is f2026-09-11 - I cannot sleep because I am listening for the door
A dementia caregiver who cannot sleep because she is listening for the door: chimes so you rest until it actually opens, night lights, a rotation on paper, respite, the Helpline at2026-09-11 - How to report a missing parent with dementia in Missouri
Missouri does not run a family Silver Alert hotline. You call 911, say she has dementia, and file a missing person report. Local police can then request the Endangered Silver Advis2026-09-11 - How do I know when Mom with dementia cannot be left alone anymore
You will not get a memo. The first frightening answer about the stove, the phone, the door or the window means that hour is no longer solo, starting tonight. Hours, not always the 2026-09-11 - Dad keeps unlocking the door
Dad with dementia still works the lock at eye level. The order: never lock him in, a chime so a person hears the door, a deadbolt high or low, a new latch if he can open that one, 2026-09-11 - After a dementia diagnosis, what does the family checklist actually look like?
A week-by-week family checklist after a dementia diagnosis: Missouri papers, the family meeting, Medicare and MO HealthNet, the house, and the help you can ask for, 2026.2026-09-11 - When someone with dementia wanders off
If Mom is gone: search the house, yard and street, call 911 at fifteen minutes and say she has dementia, have the photo ready, and how Missouri's Endangered Silver Advisory is2026-09-10 - What is sundowning and what do I do about it
Sundowning explained for the daughter watching the door at 5 pm: the late-day window, the triggers named by the NIA and the Alzheimer's Association, and a dusk routine to try 2026-09-10 - Keeping Mom with dementia from leaving at night
The safe-exit checklist for a mother with dementia who opens the front door at night: chimes, deadbolts high or low, camouflaged doors, coats out of sight, night lights, ID and GPS2026-09-10 - Is it safe to leave a parent with dementia alone
Whether a mother with dementia can be left alone, walked through as questions: the stove, the smoke alarm, the phone, wandering history, the late-day window, medicines and driving,2026-09-10 - How to talk to someone with dementia who wants to leave
Scripts for the doorway when a mother with dementia wants to leave: join the errand, answer the feeling, redirect with tea and a task, and never argue with the destination. Cited t2026-09-10 - Dementia parent up all night
A night-shift plan for a mother with dementia who is up all night: the daytime routine from the Alzheimer's Association and NIA, a family rotation, who pays, and what a non-me2026-09-10 - Dad thinks he has to go to work: what do I say
When a father with dementia says he has to get to work: why the correction fails, the scripts that answer the feeling of duty, and when to bring the six o'clock conversation t2026-09-10 - Alzheimer's Association St. Louis helpline
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900, the Missouri Chapter, support groups in St. Louis County, Aging Ahead, the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, Washington U2026-09-10