Dealing with restlessness

It can be upsetting for the person, especially if they are prevented from moving around, and for family members, who may in particular worry about the person’s safety. 

• hunger or thirst  
• being too hot or cold 
• pain, eg from arthritis, infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), constipation or dental problems 
• needing the toilet 
• boredom 
• needing to stretch their legs 
• being in unfamiliar surroundings or with unfamiliar people
• feeling anxious, stressed or depressed 
• distress caused by something in their environment, eg noise from roadworks or a strong cooking smell  

• Offer a drink and something to eat 
• Ask if they need the toilet – or look for non-verbal signs like holding their stomach or crotch – and offer support if they need it 
• Ensure they take any medication they are prescribed 
• If they appear to be in pain, anxious or depressed, make an appointment with their GP 
• Try to engage them in activities that provide enjoyment and a sense of purpose, like walking, gardening, crafts or puzzles 
• Help them have a change of scene, even if you just go into another room or the garden 
• If you are in unfamiliar surroundings, try to return to a place where they feel comfortable. If this isn’t possible, see if they can move to a calm, quiet space – eg a spare room in a house you are visiting 
• Sitting close, holding their hand or stroking their arm can provide reassurance. A gentle hand massage can also be soothing 
• Play music, read aloud, watch a film together or look at photos 
• Give them something comforting to hold, like a cuddly toy or soft blanket 

To support a person who is pacing: 

• allow them to walk about, if it’s safe to do so: you may need to walk together to protect them 
• safety-proof their home to reduce the risk of falls and accidents 
• try to establish whether there is an unmet need that you could help with – for instance, they may have stood up to go to the toilet but have forgotten what they were doing  
• if the person is in hospital or a care home, tell staff that they like to move around so they can be supported to do so safely  

• they are unaware of the risks of going out alone 
• they are confused about where they are in time – for example, if they are retired but still think they need to go to work  
• they are thinking about somewhere they used to live 
• they experience ‘sundowning’ – a strong sense of being in the wrong place or needing to go home, even if they are at home, that typically becomes worse at dusk

The following methods may help if the person with dementia is prone to trying to leave the house. 

• Keep coats and bags in cupboards, rather than near the front door – seeing these items might make the person think they were about to go out 
• Hang a curtain rail above the front door and pull the curtain to conceal the door in the evenings, or at times when they often try to leave their home 
• Involve the person in meaningful household tasks like preparing meals or gardening  
• Ask the person about the place they want to go to – speaking about their memories of special places can help to reduce agitation  
• Give them opportunities to leave the house safely, with you or another family member or friend for support 
• You can lock doors and windows, but bear in mind that trying to open locked doors and windows may cause the person distress 
• Consider using assistive technology like tracking devices, door alarms and personal fall alarms to give you peace of mind 

• Talk to your neighbours about the situation, and exchange contact details  
• Make sure the person always has their name and your contact details on them – you could sew an identity card into their coat or bag, or buy them an identity bracelet or necklace  
• Complete a Herbert Protocol form – you can list information such as the person’s name and address, a physical description, health issues, communication difficulties, and significant places that they may try to visit. You should fill in the form in advance and, if the person goes missing, hand it to the police to assist in their search  

Dementia UK resources

• Eating and drinking
• Pain and dementia
• Continence
• Anxiety and depression in dementia
• Making the home safe and comfortable for a person with dementia
• Sundowning
• Coping with distress

Other resources:

• Herbert Protocol