Wandering can be one of the most frightening Alzheimer’s caregiving situations. A person may leave home, become disoriented in a familiar place, try to “go home” while already at home, or follow an old routine such as leaving for work.
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The goal is not to eliminate every possible risk. It is to notice patterns early, reduce preventable hazards, and have a clear plan ready if the person becomes missing.
Looking for a broader day-to-day caregiving system? The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Compass™ organizes practical guidance for routines, communication, safety, planning and caregiver support.
Signs that wandering risk may be increasing
Watch for new pacing, repeated attempts to leave, difficulty finding familiar rooms, returning late from usual walks, restlessness at a predictable time of day, or repeated statements about needing to go to work, school or another former responsibility. These behaviors do not automatically mean a person will wander, but they can help a family identify patterns.
Reduce risk before an incident
Keep daily routines predictable when possible. Make sure basic needs such as toileting, food, hydration, rest and meaningful activity are addressed. Review exterior doors, gates and other exits, and consider simple alerts or other safety measures that do not create a fire or emergency-escape hazard.
Keep a current photo of the person, a short description, emergency contacts and a list of places they may try to visit, such as a former home, workplace, place of worship, favorite store or relative’s house.
Create a wandering emergency sheet
Prepare one page that can be handed to family members or emergency responders. Include the person’s full name, recent photo, age, physical description, communication needs, emergency contacts, likely destinations, medical considerations responders should know about, and the date the photo was taken. Avoid putting highly sensitive identifiers such as a Social Security number on a sheet that may be widely shared.
If the person is missing
Treat a missing person with dementia as urgent. Search the immediate area quickly while another person contacts appropriate emergency services. In the United States, call 911 if the person is missing or may be in danger, and clearly state that the person has dementia. Do not delay emergency help when weather, traffic, water, medications, mobility limitations or other risks are present.
After the person is found
Avoid blaming or scolding. First check for injury, dehydration, distress or other urgent problems. Then write down what happened before the incident: time of day, activity, conversation, noise level, unmet needs, door used and likely destination. That record can help the family adjust the plan.
When to involve a health professional
A sudden or major change in behavior can sometimes be related to pain, illness, medication effects or another medical issue. Contact an appropriate clinician when wandering, agitation or confusion changes abruptly or is accompanied by other health changes.
This page is educational and does not replace individualized medical or emergency advice.
Sources and further reading: Alzheimer’s Association: Wandering; National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer’s caregiving.
Build a more organized care plan
Safety is only one part of caregiving. The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Compass™ brings practical routines, communication strategies, planning tools and caregiver support into one organized system.