Why People with Dementia Pace: Understanding Walking, Distress and Unmet Need

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Understanding “Wandering” in Dementia Care

When a person living with dementia repeatedly walks around a care home, checks doors, or says they need to go home, it’s often labelled as “wandering.” But what if that behaviour isn’t random at all?

In this thought-provoking solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, behaviour specialist Andy Baker challenges common assumptions about dementia-related behaviours and explores what might really be happening beneath the surface.

Drawing on practical experience, psychology, and person-centred care principles, Andy explains why behaviours are often attempts to meet unmet needs, reduce stress, find connection, regain purpose, or restore a sense of safety.

Key Topics Covered

• Why the term “wandering” may be misleading
• Understanding behaviour as communication
• The Human Motivation Triangle and unmet needs
• How anxiety, fear, loneliness, boredom and discomfort influence behaviour
• The connection between movement, sensory regulation and wellbeing
• Supporting people without creating power struggles
• Practical dementia care strategies for reducing distress
• The importance of becoming a better detective than judge
• Creating meaningful activities that promote purpose and dignity
• Using the See, Feel, Need, Do framework in everyday care

The See, Feel, Need, Do Approach

Andy introduces a simple but powerful framework that can help caregivers, support workers, healthcare professionals and family members better understand repetitive behaviours.

See

What exactly is happening? Look for patterns, triggers, locations, times of day and environmental factors.

Feel

What emotions might be driving the behaviour? Could the person be feeling frightened, lonely, restless, confused or unsafe?

Need

What unmet need could be sitting underneath the behaviour? Is the person seeking connection, comfort, purpose, food, sensory regulation or reassurance?

Do

What small supportive action can we take that meets the need without confrontation or correction?

Who Is This Episode For?

This episode is valuable for:

• Family caregivers supporting a loved one with dementia
• Care home staff and managers
• Healthcare professionals
• Dementia support workers
• Occupational therapists
• Activity coordinators
• Anyone interested in behaviour support and person-centred care

A More Compassionate Way to Understand Behaviour

Rather than asking, “How do I stop this behaviour?”, Andy encourages listeners to ask a different question:

“What need is this behaviour trying to meet?”

By shifting from correction to curiosity, caregivers can reduce distress, improve wellbeing, and build more meaningful connections with the people they support.

Recommended Book

The Adaptive Caregiver Model: Walking With, Not Ahead: A Practical Guide to Dementia Care That Adapts to the Person, Not the Diagnosis