If you are caring for a family member with dementia, wandering is one of the most important safety issues to understand. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 6 in 10 people living with dementia will wander at some point.
Wandering is not the same as simply getting lost. It means moving around without a clear destination, often away from somewhere safe and familiar. It can cause confusion, frustration, anxiety, and real physical danger.
Knowing the signs, the triggers, and what to do can make all the difference.
Why Wandering Happens
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect a person’s ability to recognize familiar places, even ones they see every day. That can include the kitchen and bathroom in their own home, not just a shopping center they have visited for years.
When surroundings no longer feel familiar, a person may walk in search of something that does. The more confused they become, the farther they may wander.
Other common triggers include:
- Unmet physical needs: hunger, pain, or needing the bathroom
- Confusion or disorientation when left unsupervised
- Changes in medication, including benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, opiates, and taking multiple medications at once
- Late afternoon and early evening hours, which can be particularly difficult times
- Overstimulating or crowded environments
Warning Signs to Watch For
The early signs of wandering risk can be subtle. An unsupervised walk that runs longer than usual. Coming back from the store without the items on the list. Increased restlessness.
Here are other signals worth watching, according to the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Frequently talking about completing tasks for a job they no longer hold
- Asking about family members who have passed away
- Becoming more nervous in crowded places
- Forgetting the location of familiar places
- Having trouble finding the bathroom or bedroom at home
- Restless or repetitive movements
If you notice any of these, it is worth discussing them with a health care provider. Early detection means the person in your care can take part in planning their own care.
When Someone Goes Missing
If the person in your care goes missing, start searching right away. The Alzheimer’s Association says most people who wander are found within 1.5 miles of their last known location.
If you have not found them within 15 minutes, call 9-1-1. Do not wait.
As geriatric nurse practitioner Tina Sadarangani, ANP-C, GNP-BC, PhD, RN, and creator of The Enlightened Caregiver, puts it:
“Time matters tremendously in emergencies. Quick access to help can mean the difference between a minor injury and a life-altering one, or between recovery and long-term disability.”
A few things to prepare ahead of time can help:
- Keep a recent photo of them on your phone to share with authorities
- Learn the hazard areas near their home: pipes, woods, tunnels, water and check those first
- If they have wandered before, search where they were found previously
Tools and Resources That Can Help
There are several resources caregivers can put in place before a crisis happens.
GPS-enabled medical alert systems can track the location of the person wearing them and include a help button to contact a monitoring center or emergency services. Brands like Medical Guardian and LifeStation offer GPS-compatible wearables, including options that look like a smartwatch. Systems like LifeFone and Lively include caregiver apps, so you can call for help on their behalf if they are unable to press the button themselves.
Wandering response programs like Wandering Support and Project Lifesaver may help locate someone who has wandered and return them safely. If there is no chapter near you, the organizations note that you can start one.
The Alzheimer’s Association helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-272-3900. You can also visit www.alz.org/safety for guides on handling wandering safely.
Wandering is frightening. But with the right preparation, you can move quickly and that speed is what keeps the people you love safe.
