Leading tendency
A tendency to lead is a behavior that can occur in dementia and is caused by the loss of orientation typical of the disease . In doing so, those affected leave the environment in which they are to go to a place that they perceive to be able to reach.
In the past, the phenomenon was also called the tendency to run away, also because it can often be perceived as simply running away by people in the vicinity. However, this term does not adequately reflect the underlying motivations for the behavior.
causes
The occurrence of a tendency to run can be explained by various factors. Dementia changes cause short-term memory loss in those affected. This can lead to misjudgments and misjudgments of reality . When tasks and obligations that were commonplace for those affected in earlier phases of life come back into consciousness, this can result in them wanting to do these things, although this is no longer really necessary. Those affected often find it difficult to adapt to new circumstances (e.g. moving to a care facility ) that are required by dementia. In addition, an increased urge to move is often observed in people with dementia.
Nursing measures
A tendency to run away becomes particularly problematic when those affected move away unnoticed from an environment that is safe for them and cannot return on their own due to the loss of orientation. In doing so, they unwittingly put themselves and others (e.g. road users) in danger. The right reaction is required, also because restlessness is often associated with aggressiveness. Calming the person down is an important immediate measure. Furthermore, furnishing the apartment appropriate for dementia with many familiar objects and elements as well as structured daily routines are helpful.
The behavior, which is often interpreted as “running away”, is often incomprehensible to the people concerned. It is therefore helpful to clarify the causes in order to prevent conflicts .
So-called runaway protection systems can be used to cushion the effects of a tendency to run away. These can consist of a detector that is activated as soon as the person with dementia leaves a secure area. But solutions for locating those affected by GPS are also possible. These technical aids make it easier for B. the staff of a care facility to bring those affected back safely if necessary.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Elisabeth Stechl, Catarina Knüvener, Gernot Lämmler, Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen, Gabriele Brasse: Praxishandbuch Dementia. Recognize - understand - treat . Mabuse-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 2012, p. 127-129 .
- ↑ Jochen Gust: Run away? No: ran there! In: Weblog of the guide to dementia. Retrieved July 26, 2020 .
- ↑ Volker Hielscher, Lukas Nock, Sabine Kirchen-Peters: Use of technology in care for the elderly. Potentials and problems from an empirical perspective . Nomos, Baden-Baden 2015, p. 89 .
- ^ German Alzheimer Society eV: Dementia. The most important. A compact guide . 8th edition, 2019.