Responding to ‘I Want to Go Home’

When a person is living with dementia, they will often say things that make it hard for you to respond. At Visiting Angels^® Dover, our dementia care team in Middletown understands this challenge, and we use a range of strategies to handle these moments. But if you aren’t a trained caregiver, you might struggle in these situations.

One of the more common examples of this is when a loved one says, “I want to go home,” despite the fact they're already there. Your first instinct might be to explain they’re at home as a way of reassuring them. But this can often trigger the opposite reaction, making them stressed and agitated.

Below, our dementia care team offers three tips on how families in Middletown can respond in this scenario.

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

Read Between the Lines. When a person with dementia says they want to go home, it’s usually because they feel uncomfortable or stressed. They may be disoriented, anxious, scared, or simply tired from a long day. The best thing you can do is to make them feel relaxed and put them at ease as much as possible.

Validate Their Request. Telling someone with dementia they’re confused will only trigger more confusion. If your loved one is unable to recognize their home, it won’t be comforting to be told they’re already there. Instead, you can simply tell them that going home sounds like a good idea. By telling them you’ll leave soon, you can buy yourself some time to direct their attention elsewhere.

Redirect Their Attention. If your loved one says they want to go home, the best way to resolve the situation is to redirect their attention to something else. Here are a few ways you can do this:

• Tell them you’ll leave once you’ve finished a task, like cleaning up the table or doing the dishes. Then ask your loved one if they can lend you a hand.
• Engage them in conversation. When you have the opportunity, change the topic to something else. Ideally, this should be a topic they find comforting or joyful.
• Wait a few minutes, and then put on one of your loved one’s favorite albums, TV shows, or movies.

Dementia Care Services in Middletown

The dementia care team at Visiting Angels Dover understands the challenges that come with memory disorders. If you’re worried about your loved one’s comfort and safety, our care team in Middletown can provide the support and specialized care they need to remain in their own home. We also offer support for family caregivers, helping you reduce your risk of caregiver burnout.

Our in-home dementia care services are provided in:

• Middletown
• Dover
• Smyrna
• Surrounding areas

Contact Visiting Angels Dover today to request a free dementia care consultation for your loved one in Middletown.