Prevent Elderly Wandering

Most elderly wandering is harmless and does not require intervention. However, if your loved one’s behavior becomes more frequent or they try to leave and not return (also called “elopement”), it is a serious concern.

Elopement occurs when someone with dementia tries to escape their home, often at night during what is known as “sundowning.” This type of behavior puts them in danger from being injured or lost.

Preventing Wandering

Taking steps to prevent elderly wandering can bring peace of mind to caregivers. However, it's important to recognize that wandering is a natural part of the progression of dementia and Alzheimer's, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases and developmental disorders like Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Know your loved one's neighborhood and identify dangerous areas, such as bodies of water, open stairwells, busy roads or bus stops. Many people who wander are found within the first few hours, so start searching immediately. Look for a pattern -- most people who wander are right-handed and walk towards their dominant side.

Keep snacks and drinks on hand, as hunger and thirst are common triggers of wandering. Make rooms inside the home easier to find, such as the bathroom or bedroom, by hanging a large sign on those doors. Also, try disguising exterior doors to discourage your aging relative from trying them by putting up curtains or camouflaging the door knobs with paint.

Identifying Triggers

People with Alzheimer's and other dementias tend to wander for a variety of reasons. It could be a force of habit, a desire to get to a familiar destination or unmet basic needs like hunger or the need to use the bathroom.

For example, if your elderly loved one tends to wander during the evening (a common time of day for sundowning) because they are trying to find their bedroom or bathroom, you can help them by showing them the locations of these rooms and providing easy-to-access latches on doors leading outside the house. You can also make it easier for them to find these doors by making sure they are high enough to reach and that light shines on them during the night.

Another common trigger for wandering is fear or agitation. Consider ways to reduce these feelings by reassuring your loved one that they are safe and happy, and by keeping them busy throughout the day with meaningful activities and exercise.

Distracting Your Loved One

Even when caregivers do all they can to prevent wandering, a person with dementia may still sometimes get lost. dementia gps tracker If this happens, it’s important to have a plan. It’s also a good idea to have your loved one wear an ID bracelet and sew ID labels into their clothes, and to register them with the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program or other emergency tracking services. Informing neighbors can help -- especially if they are aware of your relative’s tendency to wander at night.

Many seniors wander because they are searching for someone or something. If this is a concern, you can distract them by telling them reassuring fibs that fit with their intention. For example, if they are going to the office, you can say that it’s closed today or that their child has a playdate with a friend and will be picked up later. You can also camouflage exit doors by matching them to the wall or covering them with fabric.





Reporting Wandering

Up to half of people who wander with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia are not found within 24 hours and are at serious risk of injury or death. Time is of the essence, so it’s important to enlist friends and neighbours immediately. Search the area where your loved one was last seen, looking in small spaces like closets and in familiar places such as a backyard garden. Consider putting a description of your loved one and their favorite spots in the local newspaper, as well as contacting police.

Assess the times of day when your loved one is most likely to wander and take extra precautions during those periods, such as putting a lock on the door and labeling clothing with their name. MedicAlert and other sources sell identifying bracelets and pendants with emergency response lines. Many communities offer registry services where your loved one’s information is kept on file for use in the event they go missing.