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Dementia wandering is not completely preventable, but there are many interventions that reduce the frequency and danger of this behavior. These include addressing basic needs like hunger and sleep, minimizing distractions (such as reducing daytime napping) and using navigation aids.





Identify any triggers that may prompt your loved one to wander. For example, loud noises, over-stimulating activities and new environments are common causes of disorientation and pacing.

Educate Yourself

A person with dementia who wanders is at risk of becoming lost in unfamiliar or unsafe environments. This can lead to life-threatening negative outcomes such as injury or death. It is therefore crucial to have a strong system in place for their identification and safe return. This includes a communication system between families and local authorities.

Caregivers should also ensure that potential tripping hazards like loose electrical cords are removed and that their loved one is not taking any medications that may decrease appetite or cause confusion or delusions. It is also a good idea to re-evaluate the person’s diet and to make sure they are getting enough nutrients.

In addition, it is important to educate families about initial steps to take if a family member wanders including immediately searching the area favouring their dominant hand and to always call 9-1-1 when they become lost. Families should also consider enrolling their loved ones in a national missing persons program (MedicAlert, Project Lifesaver or Silver Alert) if available in their community.

Create a Safety Plan

Whether your loved one wanders or is at risk of doing so, you can create contingency plans that will keep them safe. Consider putting door alarms in place, placing locks on doors and reducing the amount of liquids consumed during the hours leading up to bedtime (to eliminate unnecessary bathroom trips during the night).

In some cases, a person’s urge to wander may be triggered by physical discomfort like hunger or thirst, unmet needs like boredom or loneliness, stress or fear, or the desire to fulfill former responsibilities like taking care of a pet or visiting a familiar place. Some people also express a desire to “go home” when they wander, which can be especially distressing for caregivers and family members.

fall alarm for elderly Caregivers should be trained in the initial steps of a wandering response, including immediately searching areas favoring the dominant hand and focusing searches within 1.5 miles of home, and calling 911 no more than 15 minutes after the person becomes missing. They should also be encouraged to wear medical identification jewelry and enroll in a wandering program like MedicAlert and Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return.

Be Prepared

People with dementia who wander are often unable to provide a coherent name or description of themselves and may not remember how to return home. To help them, we recommend registering them in the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program if it is available in your community. It is a nationwide 24-hour missing person response system that works with local police and other organizations to track and reunite people with their caregivers.

You should also take steps to prevent them from wandering by keeping an eye on their environment, removing objects that can trigger the instinct to leave (like car keys and shoes), and hiding door locks above eye level or disguising them with posters and wall hangings. You should also know when they are most likely to wander, like in the evening during sundowning.

Finally, consider taking them on frequent walks around their neighborhood or home to burn off extra energy and stay oriented. A good place to start is their own backyard or a nearby park.