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Dementia wandering and carer strain — DGM MCQ

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HardDementiaDementia wandering and carer strainDGM

An 86-year-old woman with dementia has repeated wandering from home at night and has been found by police twice. She lives with her husband, who has heart failure and is exhausted. Home carers attend twice daily, and no acute infection is present. What is the most appropriate referral?

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Correct answer: B — Urgent community mental health or older adult frailty service for risk and care review

Recurrent unsafe wandering with carer breakdown requires urgent specialist community review, risk assessment and care planning. Optometry might contribute if vision is poor, but it does not manage immediate night-time risk. Dementia care should protect the patient while recognising carer strain.

Reference: NICE NG97; BGS Fit for Frailty