stage: 3

Why people with dementia constantly ask to go home — and what 'home' actually means to them

Yes, it is extremely common. Asking to go home is one of the most frequently reported behaviours in people with dementia, particularly in the middle stages. It is not limited to people living in care homes. People often ask to go home while sitting in their own living room. The request is rarely about the physical location and is better understood as an expression of a need for safety, familiarity, and emotional comfort, often associated with an earlier and happier period of life. Rather than pointing out that the person is already home, acknowledging the feeling and providing calm reassurance is far more helpful.