Understanding wanting to leave helpsheet

Dementia can affect us all – especially when dealing with changes in day-to-day behaviour. These changes could be caused by many things including a person’s environment, health, or medication. One of the common behaviours is wanting to leave or go home.

Wanting to leave is often depicted in film or media, showing a person with dementia who has ended up walking outside and experiencing confusion. It is very common and typically the result of not recognising their surroundings, even if it’s somewhere they have lived for years. 

The helpsheet has been created in collaboration with Professor Sue Kurrle, geriatrician, to assist carers and health care professionals to better identify and respond to the behaviours of someone wanting to leave.

To learn more, watch the video or download the helpsheet.