In this solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker explores one of the most misunderstood behaviours in dementia care - pacing, repetitive walking and repeatedly saying “I need to go home”. Instead of dismissing this as “wandering”, Andy invites carers, teachers, parents and support staff to ask a better question: what is this behaviour trying to communicate? This episode looks at how repetitive behaviour can signal anxiety, sensory dysregulation, loneliness, discomfort, purpose, or an unmet need, and why correcting facts too quickly can make distress worse. If you support someone living with dementia, or anyone whose behaviour can become repetitive under stress, this episode offers a more curious, compassionate and practical way to respond.

What this episode covers:

Andy breaks down why repetitive walking is rarely pointless and is often a strategy to cope with stress, regulate the body, solve a problem or meet a need. He introduces a practical framework - See, Feel, Need, Do - to help supporters slow down, spot patterns, consider the emotional driver, identify possible unmet needs and respond in a more helpful way. He also connects this to the Human Motivation Triangle and the HELP model, showing how behaviour may be linked to human, emotional, location-based or physical needs.

Three key messages:

1. Repetitive walking is often communication, not “just wandering” What looks like wandering may actually be walking with purpose - searching, soothing, escaping discomfort, seeking connection or trying to complete something important.
2. Correcting facts can increase distress When someone is anxious, telling them “this is your home now” or trying to stop the movement can land as confrontation rather than reassurance.
3. Curiosity leads to better care Rather than asking “how do I stop this?”, ask “what need is underneath this?” Supportive responses such as walking with the person, offering purpose, reducing stimulation or creating a safer route can make a real difference.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Reframing “wandering” as walking with purpose 00:30 - The care home scenario: pacing, checking doors and wanting to go home 01:15 - Why correcting the facts can make things worse 01:55 - Behaviour as strategy: unmet need, stress and regulation 02:45 - The Human Motivation Triangle explained 03:00 - The See, Feel, Need, Do framework 03:35 - What could the person be feeling? 04:00 - Could walking be sensory regulation? 05:15 - Practical responses that reduce distress 06:30 - Building a proactive plan instead of reacting late 07:55 - Using the HELP model to understand behaviour 08:35 - Why safe walking routes can work better than stopping movement 09:00 - Final takeaway: stop asking “how do I stop it?” and ask “what need is there?”

Why listen to this episode?

This episode is especially useful if you support someone living with dementia and want to respond more effectively to pacing, restlessness or repeated requests to go home. It is also relevant for parents, teachers and support staff, because the wider principle applies beyond dementia care: repetitive behaviour often communicates stress, discomfort or unmet need. If you want a calmer, more person-centred way to understand behaviour, this conversation will give you practical tools you can start using straight away.

Resources mentioned:

• Able Training website: able-training.co.uk/podcast
• Andy Baker’s book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge - available via Able’s site and hub.
• Andy's & Meghan's book: The Adaptive Caregiver Model: Walking With, Not Ahead: A Practical Guide to Dementia Care That Adapts to the Person, Not the Diagnosis - available on amazon

Podcast: Able to Care Podcast

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• YouTube: Able Training YouTube

If this episode helped you think differently about behaviour, please follow, share and leave a review so more carers, parents, teachers and support staff can find it.