Today, Mom tried again to make an escape. The door alarm was my first clue. Sometimes she just wants to get a little air, so I watched her for a moment or two on the driveway cam to see what she was doing.
First, she tried to open the garage door. It was locked. So she set off walking. I went out and intercepted her.
Me: What's up?
Mom: I'm going home.
(This is a common goal for Alzheimer's patients. It is not so much a place, but to a time in the past when they were happy and felt secure. It can be childhood, but we have discovered that home for her is about 1978, when my Dad was still alive and in good health.)
Me: Are you walking? You have forgotten to wear a coat.
Mom: It isn't that far. I'll be fine.
Me: It is over 2000 miles, it is winter, you have no wallet, no money, no credit card, no coat, a pair of flimsy loafers that will be useless in 20 miles. You seem to have a tote bag with you, though, and a couple of pairs of pants under your elbow. What is in the tote?
Mom: (Peeking into tote. I look, too.) My slippers and some food.
Me: Well, when your shoes give out, your slippers will probably last another 5 miles. Then you will have to walk barefooted. What do you plan to eat? There is only a lolipop in your tote bag, that won't last long. To walk 2000 miles will take you several months. One lolipop will be gone in an hour. And where will you sleep?
Mom: I don't know. I'm going, now.
Me: Do you have a map? Can you tell me which direction would point to Florida?
Mom points in all directions and begins to laugh.
Me: Why don't we go inside and have lunch. Then we can think this through a little better.
(Mom agrees and we go indoors.)
We have lunch. A few snowflakes fall. I mention that she would have been getting a little cold in the snow. She laughs and goes to her room for a nap.
Another escape thwarted. I'm just the jailer.
