Pacing/I want to go home

Cherjer

Hi friends,

My dh constantly paces and says "I want to go home" all day long! I distract him by getting in the car and going for a drive but can't do that all day. He has been going to a wonderful day care program but is now closing and just so sad about that. I am going crazy with this behavior. 

He constantly says my name in this voice that is so sad. I haven't heard him laugh for at least six months. I do have a caregiver several times a week so I do get a break. The daycare program was five days a week so was just wonderful...although I had a drive each day it was worth it. I would say he is in late mid stage...diagnosed in 2015.

Btw...he has no interests...can't even sit still long enough...no tv interests etc. 

Any ideas??? 

jmlarue

Does he not exhibit this pacing and "I want to go home" behavior at the day care?

Rob55

My wife does the exact same thing.  And I respond like you by driving her around. I wish I knew what to do.

Faith,Hope,Love

My husband is mid to late stage.  He paces around the dining room table mainly in the morning and for hours at a time.  He doesn't appear agitated but can't seem to find anything to occupy himself.  I bought some easy jigsaw puzzles (no more than 300 pieces) for us to do.  Usually, I start working on a puzzle and then he wants to join me. Once he gets absorbed in doing that I can normally go and do the things I need to do around the house.  Don't know if this will help anybody else, but this is what works for us.

Cherjer

Thank you for the replies! He does some pacing at the daycare but can be redirected. The Memory Spa , as it is called has had such a calming affect on him and always happy when I pick him up. The lease has doubled for the owner and this gem has to close down. 

I no longer bring him to a neurologist but our family doctor has been good. I am even thinking of hospice...MC is on my list and have visited a few. He is otherwise healthy. 

Dh used to love to work on puzzles but no longer can do. 

Faith,Hope,Love

Since the day care worked so well for him, could you find another day care for him?  Just a thought.  Also, could your doctor prescribe something to calm him?  My DH is on Seroquel and that has helped a lot to keep the agitation in check.

Cherjer

Will have to check out Seroquel. The Memory Spa was so unique and unlike a normal day care.  I am going to check out an Alzheimer center that did not work earlier for him but now that he has progressed may work out now. Thank you for your thoughts.

jmlarue

That would be my first thought, too - finding a permanent placement that would be a good fit for him now. Given that he was able to be redirected in the day care program, it just seems to make sense. I really think the isolation from people other than me (as caregiver) was the basis of my DH's anxiety and agitation. The term "stir crazy" springs to mind. There's days when I just want to "go home," too - "home" being back to a time and place before dementia.