Share This Page

Support & Insight for the Autumn of Life

Wandering Prep & Prevention

15 TIPS on how to limit wandering and prevent a person with dementia from becoming lost. (60% of people with dementia will wander off at some point.)


Many people with Alzheimer’s wander away from their home or caregiver. As the caregiver, you need to know how to limit wandering and prevent the person from becoming lost. This will help keep the person safe and give you greater peace of mind.

Safety Preparations

Try to follow these steps before the person with Alzheimer’s disease wanders:

  1. Make sure the person carries some kind of ID or wears a medical bracelet. If the person gets lost and can’t communicate clearly, an ID will let others know about his or her illness. It also shows where the person lives.
  2. Consider enrolling the person in the MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® Program (call 1-800-432-5378 to find the program in your area).
  3. Let neighbors and the local police know that the person with Alzheimer’s tends to wander. Ask them to alert you immediately if the person is seen alone and on the move.
  4. Place labels in garments to aid in identification.
  5. Keep an article of the person’s worn, unwashed clothing in a plastic bag to aid in finding him or her with the use of dogs.
  6. Keep a recent photograph or video recording of the person to help police if he or she becomes lost.

Tips to Prevent Wandering

Here are some tips to help prevent the person with Alzheimer’s from wandering away from home:

Older woman wandering alone down a rural road

  1. Keep doors locked. Consider a keyed deadbolt, or add another lock placed up high or down low on the door. If the person can open a lock, you may need to get a new latch or lock.*
  2. Use loosely fitting doorknob covers so that the cover turns instead of the actual knob.*
  3. Place STOP, DO NOT ENTER, or CLOSED signs on doors.
  4. Divert the attention of the person with Alzheimer’s disease away from using the door by placing small scenic posters on the door; placing removable gates, curtains, or brightly colored streamers across the door; or wallpapering the door to match any adjoining walls.
  5. Install safety devices found in hardware stores to limit how much windows can be opened.
  6. Install an “announcing system” that chimes when a door is opened.
  7. Secure the yard with fencing and a locked gate.
  8. Keep shoes, keys, suitcases, coats, hats, and other signs of departure out of sight.
  9. Do not leave a person with Alzheimer’s who has a history of wandering unattended.

You can also make changes in your home to improve safety for someone who wanders.

For More Information About Wandering and Alzheimer’s Disease

NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center

  • 1-800-438-4380 (toll-free)
  • adear@nia.nih.gov
  • www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
    The National Institute on Aging’s ADEAR Center offers information and free print publications about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.
Family Caregiver Alliance

Email me when people comment
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Edited by:
Picture of P. Berger

P. Berger

This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chafe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. Google gets a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia every 7 minutes. That can overwhelm anyone looking for help. This site filters out, focuses on and offers only the best information. it has helped hundreds of thousands of people since it debuted in 2007. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

Peter Berger, Editor

Share this page To

Related:

Share to Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chafe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. Google gets a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia every 7 minutes. That can overwhelm anyone looking for help. This site filters out, focuses on and offers only the best information. it has helped hundreds of thousands of people since it debuted in 2007. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

Peter Berger, Editor

Visit Alzheimer's Weekly On

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
News, Treatments, Care Tips, Diet

Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly Newsletter
Free

This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chafe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. Google gets a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia every 7 minutes. That can overwhelm anyone looking for help. This site filters out, focuses on and offers only the best information. It has helped hundreds of thousands of people since it debuted in 2007. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

Peter Berger, Editor

Care & Treatment. Research & Prevention
News to Get at the Truth

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter