Why Do Family Members With Dementia Wander? Safety Strategies for Greater Cincinnati & Dayton Families

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Middle-of-the-Night Phone Call No Family Wants

Your phone rings at 2 AM. It’s your neighbor. Your mother is standing in her front yard in her nightgown, confused and cold, trying to find her way to the school where she taught 40 years ago. Or you wake up to find your husband has disappeared from bed. His jacket is gone. He’s somewhere in your neighborhood in the dark.

Wandering is one of the most dangerous and frightening behaviors associated with dementia and one of the most common. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at some point. Without a response within 24 hours, up to half of wandering seniors who are not found within 24 hours may die from exposure, accidents, or other causes.

Why Do People With Dementia Wander?

Wandering is not random. It is typically purposeful from the perspective of the person with dementia; they believe they are going somewhere that makes complete sense to them. Understanding the reasons behind wandering helps families anticipate and prevent it.

Common Reasons for Wandering

• “Going home”: Even when living in their family home, a person with Alzheimer’s may feel they need to “go home” to a childhood residence or earlier home they associate with security
• Searching for someone: Looking for a deceased spouse, parent, or friend from a time they believe they are currently living in
• Continuing a former routine: Going to work, picking up children from school, performing an activity from their earlier adult life
• Trying to escape discomfort: Physical pain, fear, anxiety, or an environment that feels threatening
• Meeting a physical need: Hunger, thirst, needing to use the bathroom, or trying to get somewhere warmer
• Sundowning: The late afternoon/evening confusion discussed in our previous blog post often triggers wandering
• Environmental triggers: A noisy, crowded, or confusing environment can prompt someone to try to leave

Warning Signs That Your Loved One May Be at Risk for Wandering

• Coming home from familiar outings late or lost
• Forgetting how to get to familiar places
• Talking about needing to “go home” or “go to work”
• Becoming restless and pacing, especially in late afternoon
• Appearing nervous or agitated in crowded places
• Getting up and moving around during the night

Prevention Strategies: Making the Home Safe

Door and Window Safety

• Install door alarms; audible alarms triggered when doors or windows are opened are highly effective
• Place locks at the top or bottom of doors (out of the natural line of sight)
• Use doorknob covers or additional door locks requiring multiple steps to operate
• Consider a Dutch door or half-door in critical areas
• Use door sensors connected to a caregiver’s phone

Visual Deterrents

Research suggests that visual cues can be powerful deterrents. Consider:

• Painting the door the same color as the wall, or covering it with a mural or curtain
• Placing a “STOP” sign or large red sign on exit doors
• Using mirrors on or near doors; some individuals with dementia may be deterred by their reflection

Environmental Modifications

• Secure the perimeter of outdoor areas with fencing
• Remove or conceal keys, coats, purses, and wallets from view (visual triggers for leaving)
• Install motion sensor lighting in hallways at night
• Reduce clutter and clear pathways for safe movement indoors

Identification and Tracking

• Enroll in the Alzheimer’s Association’s MedicAlert + Safe Return program, a 24/7 nationwide emergency response service
• ID bracelets or GPS tracking devices
• Wearable GPS devices designed for people with dementia (see our blog post on technology for dementia patients)
• Inform neighbors, local businesses, and community members about your loved one’s condition so they can assist if needed
• Notify your local police department’s non-emergency line that you have a family member who may wander

In Ohio: The Silver Alert System

Ohio operates a Silver Alert system similar to AMBER Alerts for missing children, specifically for missing at-risk adults, including those with dementia or cognitive impairments. Families can work with local law enforcement to have a senior registered in this system. Warren County and Clermont County law enforcement can advise on local registration processes.

How In-Home Care Helps Prevent Wandering

One of the most effective interventions for wandering risk is consistent, professional supervision. Trained in-home caregivers:

• Provide companionship and engagement that reduce the restlessness and anxiety that trigger wandering
• Monitor for behavioral patterns that signal wandering risk
• Implement redirection techniques that address the emotional need driving the wandering behavior
• Create and maintain structured routines that reduce confusion and agitation
• Provide the supervision that gives family caregivers the ability to sleep safely at night

Many families in Milford, Lebanon, Springboro, Centerville, Beavercreek, and throughout our service area have engaged Seniors Helping Seniors® Warren Clermont specifically because of wandering concerns. Overnight care is one of our most requested services because the nights can be the most dangerous time.

What to Do If Your Loved One Wanders

1. Stay calm and call 911 immediately; don’t wait and try to find them yourself first
2. Provide police with a recent photograph and a description of what they were wearing
3. Contact the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program: 1-800-625-3780
4. Immediately check the most dangerous areas first: traffic, water (pools, ponds, creeks), and unlocked vehicles
5. Mobilize neighbors and community members for a search

If wandering is a concern for your family, please don’t wait for an incident to reach out. Contact Seniors Helping Seniors® Warren Clermont at https://www.shswarrenclermont.com to talk about safety assessments and care solutions for your loved one. We serve families throughout Greater Cincinnati and the Dayton, Ohio area.

Sources: Alzheimer’s Association; Rowe MA. “People with dementia who become lost.” American Journal of Nursing, 2003; Ohio Silver Alert Program.