Dementia wandering happens when a person with memory loss becomes confused about where they are and leaves a safe place, sometimes trying to go home, to work, or to an old routine. Reducing triggers, securing the home, and having an emergency plan ready are the most important steps families can take.
Wandering can happen at any stage of dementia, even in people who have never wandered before. Here is how to plan ahead.
Why Dementia Wandering Happens
Wandering often has a purpose from the person’s point of view. They may be looking for someone, trying to fulfill a past obligation like going to work, searching for a bathroom, or feeling restless or anxious. The Alzheimer’s Association’s guidance on wandering notes that anyone with memory problems who can walk is at risk.
Warning Signs
- Returning from a walk or drive later than usual
- Forgetting how to get to familiar places
- Talking about past obligations, like going to work
- Trying to go home even when at home
- Pacing or restlessness
- Difficulty locating rooms in the house
Reducing the Risk of Dementia Wandering
Address needs and routines
Make sure basic needs are met: hunger, thirst, toileting, and comfort. Plan daily activities and exercise, which can reduce restlessness. Identify times of day when wandering is likely and plan engaging activities for those times.
Secure the home
- Place locks high or low on exterior doors, out of the usual line of sight.
- Use door chimes or alarms that alert you when a door opens.
- Camouflage doors with curtains or paint that matches the wall.
- Keep car keys out of sight.
- Fence the yard if possible and secure gates.
Avoid busy places that cause confusion
Crowded stores or events can be disorienting. Stay with your loved one in unfamiliar places.
Create an Emergency Plan
Prepare before an emergency happens. Keep a recent close-up photo and updated medical information on hand. Know the neighborhood: busy roads, canals, open desert areas, and bus stops. Consider an ID bracelet or GPS device. Let trusted neighbors know about the situation and ask them to call you if they see your loved one alone.
If your loved one goes missing
Search the immediate area for no more than 15 minutes, then call 911. Tell the dispatcher the person has dementia. Check places they used to go, such as a former workplace, church, or childhood neighborhood. In El Paso’s heat, a missing person can be in danger quickly, so act fast.
Talking With the Healthcare Team
Sudden increases in wandering or restlessness can sometimes be linked to pain, infection, medication changes, or sleep problems. Mention these behaviors to the person’s doctor. A healthcare provider can help identify medical contributors.
How a Caregiver Can Help
Supervision is one of the most valuable parts of dementia support. A caregiver can provide companionship during restless hours, go on safe walks together, keep the home secure, and engage the person in meaningful activities. Consistent supervision also gives family members time to rest, work, or run errands without worrying constantly.
Support for families
Caring for someone who wanders is stressful. Lean on support groups, ask relatives to share shifts, and take breaks before exhaustion sets in.
Meaningful Activities That Reduce Restlessness
Restlessness often eases when a person has something purposeful to do. Activities connected to past roles and interests tend to work best:
- Folding towels or sorting socks for someone who managed a household
- Sanding wood or organizing tools for someone who enjoyed building
- Watering plants or tending a small container garden
- Looking through photo albums and talking about family
- Listening to music from their younger years, such as boleros or classic country
Plan these activities for the times of day when wandering usually happens. Short supervised walks in the early morning or evening also give a safe outlet for the urge to move, and they can improve sleep.
Telling Neighbors and the Community
Neighbors can be an important safety net. With your loved one’s dignity in mind, share a little about their condition with trusted neighbors and ask them to call you if they see your loved one walking alone. Some families give neighbors a photo and phone number. Local businesses your loved one visits often, like a nearby store or church, may also be willing to call if they notice something unusual.
Adding Supervision Where It Counts
Locks and alarms help, but a person in the room during restless hours helps more. Our dementia care services page explains how a dementia-trained caregiver can provide supervision and engaging activity, and El Paso in-home care tells you more about us. Call (915) 307-6103 if wandering is starting to worry you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people with dementia wander?
They may be searching for someone, trying to complete a past routine, feeling anxious or restless, or confused about their surroundings.
What should I do if a person with dementia goes missing?
Search the immediate area briefly, then call 911 and tell them the person has dementia. Have a recent photo ready.
How can I stop my parent from leaving the house at night?
Door chimes, alarms, locks placed out of sight, night lights, and a consistent bedtime routine can help. Discuss sleep issues with a doctor.
Are GPS trackers helpful for dementia?
Many families find GPS devices helpful as part of a safety plan, along with ID bracelets and alerts to neighbors.
Can someone with early dementia still go for walks alone?
It depends on the person and the stage. Talk with family and the person’s doctor about safety, and consider walking together, using an ID bracelet, or carrying a phone with location sharing turned on.