Safety Precautions to Take with a Wandering Loved One

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander. Do you have a loved one with dementia who has started wandering? Maybe they haven’t begun to wander yet, but you’re worried that they may start soon. Here is some information and safety precautions to take with a wandering loved on to keep them safe.

Warning Signs of Wandering

Anybody who can walk and has memory problems is capable of wandering, even in the early stages of dementia. The following warning signs show an increased risk that your loved one might wander:

• Forgetting how to get to familiar places
• Wanting to “go home,” even while at home
• Restlessness or pacing
• Returning from normal drives or walks later than usual
• Talking about going to work or fulfilling other former obligations
• Asking how to find former friends or family members
• Trouble locating familiar places in the home like the bathroom or their bedroom

How to Help Prevent Wandering

Now that you know your loved one may be prone to wandering, here are some steps you can take and things you can do to help prevent wandering:

• Identify times of day when wandering is more likely and plan activities accordingly.
• Make sure all their basic needs are met. Have they recently eaten, drank water, and used the bathroom?
• Place locks high or low on exterior doors where your loved one is less likely to see them.
• Hide the car keys, especially if your loved one is no longer allowed to drive.
• Have a routine.
• Reassure your loved one when they are confused rather than correcting them. “We can go home tomorrow” is better than “We are home.”
• Use bells or alarms to alert you when windows or doors are opened in your home.

Have a Plan

Despite your best efforts, your loved one may still get out. You need to have a plan in place before wandering starts.

• Make a list of who to call and keep it handy.
• Have a recent photo and medical information available for the police.
• Identify dangerous places in your neighborhood such as stairwells, bodies of water, roads with lots of traffic, and tunnels.
• Keep a list of places they may wander to like previous jobs, homes, restaurants, or places of worship.
• Ask your neighbors to call you if they spot your loved one alone.
• If your loved one does wander, search the immediate area for 15 minutes, then call 911.

Implement One or More Locating Devices

Luckily, we live in an era where technology exists to help track loved ones who wander. There are many different types of locating devices on the market. A few popular tools include:

• Location tracking applications on a mobile phone
• GPS devices
• Radio frequency devices
• The Safe Return program through the Alzheimer’s Association

Need Help Finding a Memory Care Facility for Your Loved One?

Has your loved one’s wandering gotten out of hand? At Senior Living Specialists, we can help you find the best memory care facility in the area. Finding the right place for your loved one can be difficult, but we’re here to help.