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6 Ways to Prevent Someone With Dementia From Wandering or Getting Lost

Steps family caregivers can take to keep loved ones safe

Marcy Maloy/Getty Images One of the most common safety concerns for people with dementia is that they will leave the house and get lost. In my 35 years of caregiving and work experience, no one I have encountered who is living with dementia just “wanders” aimlessly. In their minds there’s a reason: They are looking for something or someone; they believe they should be somewhere (work, home, picking up a child after school etc.); they want to do something (I once lost an adult day -care client because he wanted to go fishing); they have an unmet need (hungry, thirsty, tired, lonely, etc.); or they are scared. We may not understand what they are thinking or why they are confused — and they may not be able to communicate it.
In more than a decade of for my dad, who had Alzheimer’s, he twice. Both times he was legitimately looking for someone. First, I was in a doctor’s exam room with Mom, and he was in the waiting room with my niece. She wasn’t paying attention, and he went to look for Mom. He went right out the back door (which someone had left open) and through two parking lots looking for us. Thankfully, I realized he was gone and figured out where he went quickly and spotted him in the distance. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. The second time , my niece was visiting my parents at their senior community and decided to wait for her mother to pick her up at the entrance to the community. Dad got worried about whether she had been picked up and walked out to look for her. When he didn’t see her (she had been picked up), he went outside the entrance and up to the corner of a major road; then he couldn’t figure out how to get back home. Fortunately, a neighbor driving by saw him asking stopped cars for help, recognized him and brought him home. It’s hard to express the sheer terror I felt in both situations. We were extremely lucky in these instances and I put more safeguards in place when they happened. Now there are even more readily available safety options to help. Even if we don’t think our loved ones could get lost, we all need to be prepared. Here are some steps you can take to lower the risk: , floor mat or seat pad alarms, motion sensor alarms (in the home and near the door or driveway) or simple door chime alarms. Make door handles more difficult to open by using door lever safety locks or door knob safety covers. Try installing deadbolt locks where they are harder to see — like above eye level or below the “normal” placement. You may need multiple items in place to attain peace of mind. Just be sure that you can exit in an emergency.

2 Make sure they can be identified

Be sure your loved ones have some form of identification on them. Multiple forms of identification, emergency contact numbers and disclosure of their medical diagnosis of dementia are a good idea, in case one form is removed or lost. You might get an ID bracelet or pendant, or one that laces into shoelaces or attaches to a watchband, as well as identification inside their clothing and in their wallet. My boyfriend suggested a very simple Road ID bracelet with a comfortable wristband like the one he wore when he went running. I purchased one for my dad, and he wore it for eight years, never trying to remove it. Be sure you have recent photos in case they are needed for identification in a search effort to locate an older adult who is missing. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers >

3 Use GPS tracking

If your loved ones have a smartphone, ensure there is a GPS tracking system installed that you can access if you can’t find them, or if you need to track their progress when they travel alone. For example, use the app (iPhone, Apple watch, laptop, iPad, or an air tag that you’ve attached to keys or other items) feature on Apple devices, or Find My Device and Find My Friends on Android devices. Other smartphone apps like and help you track loved ones in real time. Another option is a device attached to the car dashboard, such as . You can attach GPS trackers that don’t require a smartphone to clothing, keys, wallets, cars (in the trunk or underneath the bumper) or just about anywhere, including shoe -sole inserts with embedded GPS. Consider a (or personal emergency response system — PERS), that has GPS capability so people can access help or be tracked wherever they go if they become lost. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe online seminar about discussing hanging up the keys with a loved one. Be mindful that your loved ones know that when they stop driving their independence is threatened. They may fear isolation, so be sure to have alternative available. Some caregivers must hide the car keys or remove the car from the home to prevent their loved ones from driving. Even if you don’t think there’s a chance they could get in the car and drive, it’s a good idea to put a GPS tracker in it.

6 Flag any access to bicycles lawn mowers tractors golf carts

Keep in mind your loved ones might decide it’s a good idea to ride one of these vehicles (especially if they are no longer driving cars). Be sure to monitor their ability to use them safely and block access if they can’t. One can get quite a distance in one of these alternative vehicles. Remember that abilities and needs can vary greatly among individuals with dementia, and safety concerns can change as the disease progresses. Continually assess your loved ones’ risk for getting lost or injured if they leave the home. Do whatever you can to minimize the chance that they’ll be in danger and have a plan in place outlining what you’ll do if they get lost, including notifying authorities, friends and family. Don’t delay; preventive measures are well worth it when it comes to protecting our loved ones. Amy Goyer is AARP's family and caregiving expert and author of . Connect with Amy on , , in AARP's and in the . More on caregiving AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS