Dementia Care · beginner

A Resident Wants to Go Home

Practice validation and redirection when a resident with dementia becomes exit-seeking.

~5 min

beginner

Educational signal only — not a hiring criterion.

Scenario context

Resident

Mrs. Williams — 87 years old, moderate dementia. Recently transitioned from assisted living.

Situation

Mrs. Williams is walking toward the exit and says: "My children are waiting outside. I have to pick them up from school."

Interactive decision flow

Step 1

Mrs. Williams is walking toward the exit and says: "My children are waiting outside. I have to pick them up from school."

What should you do?

Key learning points

Clinical pearl. Residents with dementia experience their reality as real. Validation is often more effective than correction.