The Dangers of Wandering With Dementia

Wandering can be a symptom of dementia. However, it can also be a way for people to meet their needs.

Encourage regular exercise to help reduce agitation. Ask about local transit options for people who tend to wander, and keep a list of places where your loved one likes to go.

Confusion and Disorientation

People with dementia lose the ability to understand their environment as their condition progresses. They may also lose the ability to follow a predictable routine. This can lead to confusion and disorientation, which can trigger wandering behaviors.

Often, the reason for wandering makes little sense to caregivers, as in this story. But the person who wandered likely had a goal in mind, such as going to get the newspaper, getting a snack or visiting neighbors.

Caregiver education includes helping the person with dementia build regular routines, and giving them scheduled activities to keep them busy. Educating the person who wanders on how to stay safe can also reduce their risk of leaving the home. This might include placing a familiar, visible object near the door, putting a photo or name tag in their clothing and enrolling them in a local MedicAlert or Alzheimer’s Association safe-return program. The program will provide an identification bracelet, necklace or label and 24-hour assistance if they become lost.

Wanting to “Go Home”

People who wander may seem to want to go home, even though their actual homes are far away or no longer exist. This is often due to the dementia patient’s confusion and memory impairment, but it can also be triggered by feeling insecure or fearful in an unfamiliar environment. They may think they are in danger or have been robbed, for example.

Experts recommend determining the root cause of this behavior and trying to understand why the person is seeking to escape. Then, you can try to distract them or redirect their attention, such as by reminiscing together or playing a game. If necessary, physical restraints or confinement should be used judiciously as a last resort.





Look for signs that someone with dementia is at risk of wandering, such as returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Also pay attention to when the person becomes disoriented in familiar environments, if they become restless or make repetitive movements or if they are excessively nervous in crowded areas.

Getting Lost in a New or Changed Environment

People with dementia may get lost in a new or changed environment. For example, they might wander while visiting family and friends, or when they go to a restaurant or supermarket. They might also get lost while driving because of changes to their route or unfamiliar signage. This can be dangerous because they might not notice that they’re lost and fail to seek assistance, or they might end up in a secluded area.

To reduce the risk of getting lost, know your loved one’s neighborhood, especially dangerous areas such as bodies of water, open stairwells, tunnels or heavily trafficked roads. Try to identify patterns in their wandering behavior — do they tend to wander at certain times of the day? emergency button for seniors This can help you plan activities that might keep them active and engaged. In addition, consider enrolling them in a “safe return” program like MedicAlert or Project Lifesaver. This can help you locate them quickly if they do become lost.

Unsafe Situations

Unfortunately, unsafe wandering can lead to serious injuries or even death. For this reason, it’s important for caregivers to learn about preventative strategies for wandering and elopement and implement them as soon as possible. These include limiting access to outdoors and indoors spaces, labeling areas with their purpose (like the kitchen and bathroom) and establishing a “phone tree” of friends and family to contact if the person wanders or elopes.

It’s also a good idea to review the person’s medications with their doctor as some may contribute to this behavior. Finally, it’s helpful to attend a local Alzheimer’s support group so you can talk with other caregivers and hear about what interventions have worked for them.