Right now
They want to go home
What may be happening
"Home" is usually a feeling rather than an address — safety, being needed, an earlier decade. Explaining that they are home rarely helps, because the place they're asking for isn't on any map.
What to try right now
- Agree with the feeling instead of the facts, and stay warm.
- Ask about the home they mean; let them describe it.
- Offer a familiar next step — a drink, a walk to the window, a job to help with.
- If it's late afternoon, expect this and lower the noise and light.
Try saying
"Tell me about home. What do you miss most?"
"We'll go a bit later. Have a cup with me first."
"You're safe with me. I'm not going anywhere."
A Bella Box item that may help
Bella offers practical, dementia-informed suggestions. This is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about someone’s health or safety, contact their care team or local emergency services.