Notes

Dealing With a Wandering Loved One
Six in ten people with dementia wander at some point. This can be very dangerous and causes loved ones enormous stress.

personal emergency response Caregivers can reduce the risk of wandering by addressing possible triggers. This includes reducing loud noises and over-stimulating environments, and carefully planning outings. It also means dedicating safe wandering areas that are free of stairs, clutter, chemicals and sharp or fragile objects.
Assess the Situation

Many people with dementia lose the ability to keep track of their surroundings, even in familiar places. This makes it easy for them to get disoriented and wander away from home or a care facility.

It’s important to assess the situation and determine the triggers for your loved one’s wandering behavior. A change in routine or unmet needs could be the culprit. For example, some individuals with Alzheimer’s wander after a meal or at night.

Other possible triggers include the desire to escape from an unfamiliar or unsafe environment, anxiety or fear, or boredom. To reduce agitation that often leads to wandering, it can help to take the person on walks during the day and to regulate sleep habits by limiting naps and decreasing fluid intake before bedtime.

It’s also a good idea to register your loved one with organizations like Project Lifesaver and the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program so that they can be identified by first responders when they wander and have a way back home. Additionally, hiding or camouflaging dangerous doorways with mirrors, murals and paint that matches the surrounding walls can be a great safety measure.
Identify the Triggers

Some individuals who wander are searching for something or trying to get back to a place they remember like a job or favorite destination. In other cases, they may become restless or agitated and decide to take a walk. This is why identifying and eliminating possible triggers is crucial.

Consider the person’s history and current symptoms when developing a safety plan. Look for patterns, such as a tendency to wander at certain times of day. Incorporate daily exercise into the schedule, as this is believed to help reduce wandering. It’s also important to camouflage exit doors and windows. Consider a door alarm that will alert you when the door is opened and to install locks on exit doors above line of sight.

Encourage your loved one to carry identification and enroll in a Medic Alert or Safe Return program. Display a recent photo and make a list of places your family member tends to go during episodes of wandering.
Distract the Wanderer

Often people with dementia who wander will continue to do so until they are distracted. This may be by a conversation, exercise or food.

Caregivers should keep a log of times when their loved ones start to exhibit wandering behaviors and try to pinpoint the triggers. They will often find a pattern, such as wandering at a certain time of day when they are hungry or need the bathroom.

The best way to distract a wandering person is to provide them with an activity that they enjoy, and this can also help them feel useful. It is important to not put the person under too much stress, which could make the situation worse. If a wandering person is trying to go to the bathroom or their bedroom, making those rooms easier to find can help. For example, placing door decorations, putting pictures on the doors, using brightly colored paint and adding large signs to these rooms can all help.
Reassure the Wanderer

Wandering behavior is often a sign of unmet needs like needing to use the bathroom, wanting food or water, being in pain or feeling restless. Assessing these needs can help to reduce the likelihood of your loved one wandering.

It's important to re-assure the wanderer that it's okay to leave, but that you will be here when they return. It can be frightening for a wanderer to think they are being abandoned, and that can trigger the anxiety that leads to wandering.


If you can identify the times of day when your loved one is most likely to wander, such as early evening (often referred to as "sundowning"), try to distract them with activities or exercise and provide reassurance that family/friends will visit soon. Creating a daily routine may also help to reduce the tendency to wander by providing structure and reassurance. If you are unable to prevent wandering, consider reviewing your loved one's medications with their doctor.

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