Preventing Wandering With Dementia

Wandering with dementia can be a distressing experience for family members and caregivers. While there is no way to eliminate the risk of someone with dementia wandering, there are a number of steps you can take to help prevent it from happening.





Dementia can cause confusion and disorientation even when people are familiar with their surroundings. This may lead to the desire to leave a familiar area in search of something or someone that they know.

Changes in the brain can also trigger a need to escape from overstimulation, such as loud noises and fast movements, says Andrea Denny, outreach, recruitment and engagement core leader at Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center in St. senior alert systems Louis, Missouri.

If the person has a history of wandering, ask them about their experiences to learn more about why they may be wandering. This could include a recent move, changing care providers or new medication that could be causing agitation as a side effect.

Identify what may be triggering your loved one’s wandering behavior and then work on addressing the problem. For example, if they have frequent trouble finding the bathroom or bedroom at night, make it easier for them by adding large signs or pictures to the doors.

Increase physical activity to reduce agitation and to provide an outlet for their energy. This can be as simple as a walk with a friend or caregiver or by spending time outdoors in a secure area.

If you are concerned about your loved one’s safety, call the police or RCMP right away to report the wandering behavior. They can help you quickly find your loved one and ensure they are safe.