Wandering is one of the scariest parts of dementia caregiving, because a person who gets lost can be in real danger fast.
The good news is that wandering is something you can plan for. With a few changes at home and a plan in your pocket for the worst case, you can lower the risk and dramatically improve the odds of a fast, safe recovery if your loved one does slip out. This guide covers prevention, identification and tracking, safe-return programs, and exactly what to do if someone goes missing.
Make the Home Safer
You cannot watch someone every second, so the first line of defense is a home that is harder to leave unnoticed. The National Institute on Aging suggests:
- Keep doors secured. Use a keyed deadbolt, or add extra locks placed high or low on the door, outside your loved one's usual line of sight, since people with dementia often will not think to look there.
- Use simple signage. Signs such as STOP, DO NOT ENTER, or CLOSED on exit doors can be surprisingly effective at discouraging someone from going through.
- Reduce exit cues. Camouflaging or curtaining a door, and keeping shoes, coats, and keys out of sight, can make leaving feel less automatic.
Wandering is often driven by an unmet need or restlessness, so the behavior strategies in our guide to managing dementia behaviors, like routine and daytime activity, also help reduce the urge to leave.
Plan for the Worst Case
Even with precautions, people wander, so prepare for it now, while things are calm. The NIA recommends putting these in place before you need them:
- Identification. Make sure your loved one carries some kind of ID or wears a medical bracelet with their name, address, and your phone number.
- Labeled clothing. If they might remove a bracelet, label their clothes with a name and phone number so they can still be identified.
- A recent photo or video. Keep one current and accessible; it is the single most useful thing you can hand to police if someone goes missing.
Tracking and Safe-Return Programs
Two tools can turn a frightening search into a quick recovery:
- GPS tracking devices. Many GPS systems can locate a person in real time, as a good alternative or addition to an ID bracelet, including wearable trackers and shoe inserts.
- Safe-return programs. Consider enrolling your loved one in a safe-return program such as the MedicAlert and Alzheimer's Association service, which links their ID to a 24-hour emergency line. Call 1-800-432-5378 to find the program in your area.
If Your Loved One Goes Missing
Act immediately, do not wait to see if they come back. Based on NIA guidance:
- Call 911 right away and tell them the person has dementia and may be lost and confused. There is no need to wait a set number of hours.
- Give police the recent photo and a description of what your loved one is wearing.
- Activate the safe-return program if you are enrolled, and use any GPS device to share a location.
- Check nearby first. People with dementia often head somewhere familiar or to the right side of the road; search close by and along routes they know.
This is also why letting neighbors and local police know in advance that your loved one tends to wander matters so much: a neighbor who recognizes them can prevent a crisis, and police who already have a heads-up can respond faster.
For around-the-clock help, the NIA's ADEAR Center (1-800-438-4380) and the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) can guide you, and your state's dementia-care guide lists local support.
Worried about wandering? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a safety plan and to find dementia caregiver support in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make the home harder to leave unnoticed, locks placed high or low on doors and simple STOP or DO NOT ENTER signs, and reduce restlessness with routine and daytime activity. You cannot prevent every instance, so also prepare an ID, labeled clothing, and a recent photo.
A safe-return program links your loved one's ID to a 24-hour emergency line so they can be identified and returned if found. The MedicAlert and Alzheimer's Association service is one example; call 1-800-432-5378 to find a program near you.
GPS tracking devices can locate a person in real time and are a useful alternative or addition to an ID bracelet, available as wearables and other forms.
Call 911 immediately, there is no need to wait, tell them the person has dementia, give them a recent photo and clothing description, activate any safe-return program or GPS, and search nearby and familiar routes first.
Learn More
- Managing Dementia Behaviors: Agitation, Aggression, and Sundowning
- Caregiver Programs by State: The 50-State Directory
- Respite Care for Family Caregivers: The 50-State Guide
- Caregiver Self-Care: How to Take Care of Yourself
Find personalized dementia caregiving support at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.