“I Want to Go Home” in Dementia: What They Really Mean & How to Respond

Does your loved one with Alzheimer's or another dementia keep saying, “I want to go home,” even when they're already home? This can be one of the most confusing and heartbreaking situations for dementia caregivers. But “home” may not mean a house. It may represent safety, comfort, family, familiarity, or a time in life when things felt different. In this video, Larea McQueen, RN, explains why someone with dementia may repeatedly ask to go home, why correcting them often doesn't help, and practical ways to respond. 💜 In this video, you'll learn: Why someone with dementia may not recognize home What “I want to go home” might really mean What to say instead of “But you ARE home!” How to recognize clues and patterns Why the time of day may matter How to respond when wanting to go home turns into trying to leave When a sudden behavior change needs medical attention 🔎 Become a Dementia Detective Look beyond the behavior. Find the WHY. The behavior isn't the whole story. It's a clue. 📖 Helpful Caregiver Resources Learn more about dementia caregiving: https://alzheimersinyourhome.com/ 💜 Having trouble keeping track of changes in your loved one? The Caregiver's Notebook helps you record behaviors, notice patterns, and organize important information to share with your healthcare team. 👉 Get the Caregiver's Notebook: https://alzheimersinyourhome.com/care... 🎥 Dementia Caregiver Video Library: https://alzheimersinyourhome.com/deme... 💜 About Larea: I'm Larea McQueen, RN, Certified in Dementia Care, with over 30 years of nursing experience. I help family caregivers understand dementia changes, recognize clues, and feel more prepared to respond. Subscribe for practical dementia caregiving tips, RN Pearls, and weekly education videos. #DementiaCare #AlzheimersCaregiver #DementiaCommunication #DementiaDetective #CaregiverSupport