How to Answer ‘I Want to Go Home’

If you have a loved one who’s living with dementia, you’ll face situations where it’s hard to respond. At Visiting Angels^® Chicago Lakeshore, our dementia care providers in the Lincoln Park area know how to handle these kinds of scenarios when they occur. But without that kind of knowledge and experience, moments of confusion or agitation from your loved one can be difficult to navigate.

One common scenario that can trip up family members is when a loved one says they want to go home—even though they’re already there. To make this situation a bit more manageable, here are some tips from our dementia care team in Lincoln Park on how you can respond to this request.

Dementia Care Tips for Responding to ‘I Want to Go Home’

Resist the Urge to Correct Their Mistake. If someone doesn’t recognize their current environment as home, telling them they’re home already will only provoke more confusion and stress. It’s much more helpful to validate their request—“That sounds like a good idea. We’ll get ready to go soon.”—and then use other strategies to manage the situation.

Pay Attention to the Underlying Message. When your loved one requests to go home, that’s a sign they’re feeling tired, anxious, or distressed. As such, you’ll want to focus on making them as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Try to minimize stressors and limit stimulation, and try to engage them in a soothing, calming manner.

Find Ways to Redirect Their Attention. If a person with dementia is confused or disoriented, it’s almost always best to engage them on their own terms and then redirect their attention elsewhere. You can try steering the conversation to another topic, ask them for help with a task that will keep them occupied, or put on a favorite song or movie to capture their attention.

Dementia Care Services in Lincoln Park

At Visiting Angels Chicago Lakeshore, we know how difficult it can be to care for a loved one without outside support. This is especially true when your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.

Our dementia care services in the Lincoln Park area can give you the support you need. At the same time, we can help your loved one remain at home for as long as possible, keeping them in the space where they feel most comfortable.

Visiting Angels Chicago Lakeshore offers dementia care services in:

• Lincoln Park
• Chicago
• Lakeview
• Lincoln Square
• West Loop
• South Loop
• Uptown
• Old Town
• River North
• Downtown
• Streeterville
• Bronzeville
• Andersonville
• And the surrounding areas

Request a free dementia care consultation for your loved one in Lincoln Park by contacting Visiting Angels Chicago Lakeshore today!