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Earline94 Asked July 2023

My mom doesn’t recognize her house. I took her home with me and now she insists on going home where we just left. I don’t know what to do.

Lvnsm72 Jul 2023
Tell her you understand and Redirect her to something else. If that doesn't work, go for a car ride and then come home. Sometimes, it could be she wants the comfort of home.

Ohwow323 Jul 2023
Sometimes "home" could be their childhood home. Try telling her "yes we will go but right now we are visiting here". Try to just settle in and change the subject to talking about tv, news articles, read, or get her to do a craft of painting, or plastic canvas sewing.

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Geaton777 Jul 2023
Sundowning in people with dementia often creates the very common behavior of wishing to "go home". The home they are seeking is the one from their childhood, not their current home. A helpful strategy is to create distractions before this behavior begins: going for a walk or car ride; playing games, folding towels, having them read aloud to you from a book with interesting pictures, prepare and eat a snack, etc. Keep diverting the conversation to something else upbeat/positive as much as possible.

It doesn't often help to "remind" them of where they currently live. We hung a large poster in front of my Aunt that said, "Nancy, you are home. (and gave the address)" None of it helped.

Teepa Snow has very informative videos on YouTube for caregivers of people with dementia. They helped me a lot.

Beatty Jul 2023
It may help to think about the non-literal reasons of wanting to 'Go Home'. It can be said to express a feeling or sensation rather than a place;

Tired
Pain
Fear
Overwhelmed
Need security

"Yes we'll go home now." Then get cozy in a favorite chair, a nice knee run & a cuppa.

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