Final answer:
The first action when a person with dementia starts to wander is to redirect their attention. This strategy maintains safety without causing agitation, providing a gentle way to guide the individual to safety. If necessary, calling for help may be required.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first thing you should do when a person with dementia starts to wander is a) Redirect their attention.
When caring for someone with dementia, wandering can be a challenging behavior to manage. It is essential to maintain a safe environment and ensure the individual's wellbeing. Instead of restricting their movement, which may cause agitation or escalate the situation, redirecting their attention is often a more effective and gentle approach.
This could involve engaging them in a different activity, leading them to a safe area, or calmly reorienting them to their surroundings. Calling for help could be necessary if the situation worsens or if the person's safety is at immediate risk. Letting them wander indiscriminately may lead to a dangerous scenario, and therefore should be avoided. The key is to remain patient, observant, and responsive to the needs of the person with dementia, while minimizing potential risks.