How to Reduce Wandering Risks for a Loved One With Dementia

The Alzheimer's Association reports that 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once. Wandering can happen at any stage of dementia, and it can be dangerous. A person who wanders may get lost, walk into traffic, or be exposed to extreme weather.

This article covers strategies to reduce wandering risk and keep your loved one safe.

Why People With Dementia Wander

Understanding why your loved one wanders can help you address the cause, not just the behavior. Common reasons include:

• ✓Searching for something. They may be looking for a bathroom, a familiar room, or a person from their past.
• ✓Boredom or restlessness. A person who is not engaged during the day may become restless and pace or wander.
• ✓Unmet needs. They may be hungry, thirsty, in pain, or need to use the bathroom but cannot express it.
• ✓Confusion about time. They may think it is time to go to work or pick up a child.
• ✓Sundowning. Confusion and restlessness often increase in the late afternoon and evening.
• ✓Disorientation. They may not recognize their current home and may be trying to go "home," even if they are already there.

Secure the Home

Physical security is the first line of defense:

Door Locks

• ✓Install locks high on the door, above the normal line of sight
• ✓Use slide bolts or chain locks that are unfamiliar to your loved one
• ✓Consider childproof doorknob covers
• ✓Remove the key from deadbolts so the door cannot be unlocked from inside

Door Alarms

• ✓Install sensors that chime when a door opens
• ✓Consider systems that send alerts to your phone
• ✓Bed alarms can alert you if your loved one gets up at night

Disguise Exits

• ✓Cover the front door with a curtain
• ✓Hang a mural or poster over the door to make it look like a wall
• ✓Place a dark rug in front of the door. Some people with dementia perceive dark areas as holes and will not step on them

Windows

• ✓Install locks on windows, especially ground-floor ones
• ✓Consider window alarms

GPS and Tracking Devices

If your loved one does wander, a tracking device can help you find them quickly:

• ✓Wearable GPS devices designed for dementia can be worn as a bracelet or pendant
• ✓Smartphone apps can track location if your loved one carries a phone
• ✓Shoe inserts with GPS are available for people who may remove wearable devices
• ✓Some devices alert you automatically if the person leaves a defined area

The Alzheimer's Association offers a MedicAlert Safe Return program that includes a wearable ID and a 24-hour emergency response service. If your loved one wanders, you call the service and they alert local emergency responders and community partners.

Create a Daily Routine

Boredom and restlessness contribute to wandering. A structured daily routine with engaging activities can reduce the urge to wander:

• ✓Regular meal times, exercise, and social interaction
• ✓Activities that match your loved one's interests and abilities, such as folding laundry, gardening, or listening to music
• ✓Time outdoors in a safe, enclosed area
• ✓Consistent sleep and wake times to regulate the sleep-wake cycle

For more on activities, see our article on meaningful activities for seniors with dementia.

Address Unmet Needs

Sometimes wandering is a signal that something is wrong. If your loved one starts wandering, check:

• ✓Are they hungry or thirsty?
• ✓Do they need to use the bathroom?
• ✓Are they in pain or uncomfortable?
• ✓Are they too hot or too cold?
• ✓Are they frightened or anxious about something?

Addressing the underlying need may stop the wandering behavior.

Prepare for the Worst

Even with the best precautions, wandering can happen. Be prepared:

• ✓Keep a recent photo of your loved one available for emergency responders
• ✓Make a list of nearby places your loved one might go, such as former homes, workplaces, or favorite spots
• ✓Inform neighbors that your loved one has dementia and may wander. Give them your phone number.
• ✓Inform local police and provide a photo and description. Some departments maintain a registry.
• ✓Have a plan for what you will do if your loved one wanders. Know who you will call and where you will look first.

When to Seek More Support

If your loved one has wandered, even once, it is time to reassess their care. Wandering is a sign that the current level of supervision is not enough. Options include:

• ✓Increasing caregiver hours, especially during high-risk times like late afternoon and evening
• ✓Overnight care if wandering happens at night
• ✓A more secure environment, such as a memory care community

A caregiver trained in dementia care can provide supervision and engagement that reduces wandering. See our article on home safety for seniors with dementia for more.

The GUIDE Program

If your loved one is enrolled in Medi-Cal and has a dementia diagnosis, the GUIDE program may provide additional support, including care coordination and caregiver support. See our GUIDE dementia care program page for more.

Wandering is one of the most stressful aspects of caring for someone with dementia. But with preparation, environmental modifications, and the right support, the risk can be significantly reduced.

If you are concerned about wandering, Healthy at Home offers a free care assessment. Our dementia-trained caregivers can help keep your loved one safe at home.