Ways to Prevent Wandering in People With Dementia

Many people living with dementia have a tendency to wander. They may do this because they are trying to reach a place that they remember like their job or favorite restaurant.

Preventing wandering behavior begins at home. You can limit disorientation by reducing noise, over-stimulation and clutter. You can also label doors to important rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms, and camouflage door locks with large pictures or posters.

Know the Area

WANDERING occurs in many people with dementia and may be triggered by unmet needs like hunger, pain or sleep deprivation. It can also be a reaction to overstimulation, such as a loud television or conversations and outdoor noises, which can make the person with dementia anxious or fearful.





Signs of wandering include returning from a walk or drive later than usual, asking the whereabouts of family members or friends, and expressing the desire to go home. Other signs include pacing or making repetitive movements, a restless or anxious demeanor and appearing lost in a new environment.

If you notice your loved one is prone to wandering, begin looking for them right away. Start with their immediate neighborhood and consider the surrounding area -- many individuals who wander are found within 1.5 miles of where they disappeared. Also, keep in mind that they will usually travel in the direction of their dominant hand. For example, if they are right-handed, search for them on the right side of their street.

Know Your Loved One’s Habits

Over time, caregivers often notice patterns when a loved one wanders. For example, they may wander at a certain time of day or when they’re hungry or thirsty. In these cases, addressing the root cause of their behavior can stop it from occurring.

Easily recognizable “stop” or “off limits” signs can be helpful deterrents. Likewise, door mats that set off an alarm when stepped on can also help deter people from leaving the home unnecessarily. It’s also important to note that a change in environment can increase someone’s risk of wandering, especially when it’s at night or during sundowning.

Enrolling your loved one in a dementia wandering response service like MedicAlert can make it easier to find them should they go missing. personal alert safety system In addition to providing a 24/7 call center, some services also offer GPS tracking devices that can be worn as jewelry or inserted in a watch or shoe insole. These are great options for those with mobility issues or whose medications may trigger wandering episodes.

Know Your Loved One’s Personality

If someone in your care has mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere, it can be hard to know what’s triggering them. Often, these changes are a response to fear or frustration and can be very difficult to handle.

If a person’s wandering seems to be due to restlessness or agitation, it may help to provide them with structure in their day. Regular routines can bring comfort to many people with dementia and can also distract them from acting out their feelings.

If a person wanders because they’re looking for a specific room in the house, it might be helpful to make that room easier to find by adding signs or camouflaging doors with wallpaper or paint. This can help them feel more confident and safe in their home. It is also important to register your loved one in a missing persons program like Medic Alert or Project Lifesaver if they haven’t already done so.

Have a Plan in Place

As the disease progresses, people with dementia lose abilities such as planning and following a daily routine. That, combined with the difficulty of discerning their surroundings, can lead to wandering behaviors.

Common triggers of nighttime wandering include a need to urinate, seeking a loved one or feeling the desire to fulfill an unfulfilled obligation such as picking up children from school or going to work.

Having a contingency plan in place can help reduce the risk of wandering by providing a safe environment and keeping the person engaged in activities they enjoy. Consider putting locks on all doors that lead outside or installing door alarms to signal when someone opens them. personal alarms for elderly Also, enroll the person in a lost-person registry, such as the Alzheimer's Association's MedicAlert program, and ask neighbors and friends to watch out for the person and call police if they see them acting strangely. This will increase their chances of being quickly returned home.