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I'm at a loss ... I have a very sweet beautiful soul of a woman that seems restless. She's not verbal. Continually walks, wanders, climbs and doesn't rest. She will walk and wander even though she is exhausted.
At times she will walk right into a wall.
If I take her by the hand she will come along. If you stop she will keep going.

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Have you talked to her doctor? She may need medication for agitation.
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Cover99 Oct 2021
Dope her into a stupor?
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2nd that.

Have a look at Teepa Snow's YouTube's on Dementia - Emerald stage. (The brain wants to go & cannot stop).
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Not for the first time I'm reminded to admire the design of a continuing care facility my mother stayed in for respite breaks. The dementia floor was built around an outdoor atrium with a covered walkway and a central garden. Residents could access this outdoor space independently to benefit from the sensory input and the fresh air in perfect safety, and do as many circuits as they pleased.

But even if you do have something like this your resident would still need intermittent supervision, of course - is she at risk of falling when she gets excessively tired?
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JoAnn29 Oct 2021
I wonder if England is ahead of us when it comes to elderly care. My husbands Aunt was in a beautiful place. Looked like an estate changed to a Care facility. She was there for many years. Could not imagine she could afford it. She was a widow. Died at 100.
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Is she injuring herself walking into walls or other objects? Is the unit locked down? The kindest thing is just to let her wander as long as she is safe.
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Countrymouse, my Dad's MC had something similar - glass walls along a porch into a walled garden with a circular path. You could see the entire garden from inside the day room. My father loved the rocking chairs on the porch, very like his own porch with a view of the backyard.
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Does she have to walk or is she okay being physically active sitting down?

If she can sit, maybe some fiddle tasks like folding towels, or even rocking in a rocker? In my mom’s MC they have sit-down exercise classes that go for quite a while and actually aren’t super easy ( I’ve joined them! ) Maybe a video - YouTube might have some - of a class like this that she can follow?

This isn’t a literal issue I have but my mom has been so nonstop active at times she needed restraints in the hospital so she wouldn’t hurt herself. That was horrible..I totally wish you the best on this, it’s a tough one
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I would say there is some anxiety here and some meds may help. Look up "CFiddle blankets". My daughter crocheted one for Mom and was asked to do 4 more for other residents and was paid for it. You can easily make these using a small baby blanket and sewing on zippers, pockets with buttons, ribbons to braid. For a man you would to something different.
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I don't know what the causes are but first I would check out medications from the doctors; second depending on how serious it is, I would consider some gentle restraints unless you are right there and will "walk" her, etc. However, if it gets worse, I think you should consider putting her into a facility where she can be safe and is cared for. You can't fix it and it may harm her badly one of these days.
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Maybe create a busy board for her with anything she can manipulate in bright colors on it while she stands or sits. It can engage her hands and mind for hours. Also make sure her environment is safe - as you would for a curious young child.
make sure she isn't taking in caffeine or any stimulants which may make her restless. I also think talking to her doctor about her symptoms is warranted. She might be agitated or need an adjustment of her current medications.
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this is called akathisia - a sense of restlessness and urge to move around. Can be a side effect of medications (and might improve if meds are discontinued), or may be a brain change related to a brain disorder. Visit to MD is in order - with clear description of how long she can sit still, how long she is active, any injuries she has suffered, and a list of all medications that she is taking now.....and past medications as well, if possible.
The suggestions for distraction are good. Sometimes a care facility that has a secure supervised walking area that residents are allowed to use (sometimes it is always off limits due to lack of staff) may be the best place for her.
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