What to Do When a Senior Loved One Wanders Away

Virtually all parents have experienced the terror of looking up from what they were doing only to realize their child has wandered off. Your pulse races, your heart pounds and you can't relax until your child is back in sight.

If you become a caregiver for a parent, grandparent or other loved one with dementia, you may find yourself having the same fear if your loved one begins to exhibit a concerning symptom - getting lost or wandering.

The Alzheimer's Association says six out of 10 people with Alzheimer's experience episodes of wandering. The behavior can take many forms, from leaving the house without telling anyone to leaving and then becoming too disoriented to find their way home. Wandering can also occur at night, when a person with Alzheimer's gets out of bed and wanders inside the house - or more concerning, goes outdoors in the dark.

"Wandering is one of the potentially most dangerous symptoms of dementia," says Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care for Brookdale Senior Living. "The Alzheimer's Association notes that up to half of those who wander will suffer serious injury, or even die, if not found within 24 hours. It's important for caregivers to understand why and how wandering happens, when it occurs and what they can do to prevent or minimize occurrences."

Why Wandering Occurs

To understand why your loved one may be wandering, look for a pattern, Holt Klinger advises. Does he wander at a particular time of day or night? Is she trying to communicate with you? Do they have an unmet physical or psychological need, like being hungry or thirsty, or feeling lonely? Is an undiagnosed medical problem, such as a urinary tract infection, prompting the person to get out of bed at night?

Sleep patterns change as we age, and those changes can be pronounced and concerning for people with dementia.

Wandering Safety Tips

Common coping strategies for night-time wandering include:

• Help people living with Alzheimer's differentiate between day and night by making sure they're exposed to plenty of natural light during the day.

• Encourage at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, but not within four hours of bedtime.

• Discourage daytime sleeping by keeping people with Alzheimer's engaged in meaningful activity.

• Avoid serving alcohol, caffeine or large meals as bedtime approaches.

• Encourage a bathroom visit right before bedtime.

• Avoid screen time (white light) directly prior to bedtime and use amber-colored night lights which do not disrupt REM sleep patterns.

• Practice relaxation methods like a short, light massage, warm bath, hot milk or herb tea, or reading aloud.

• For extreme wandering concerns, consider investing in a monitoring system that will alert you when a loved one gets out of bed at night.

For daytime episodes of wandering, try:

• Hiding car keys. This can prevent loved ones from leaving the house, getting in the car and losing their way.

• Keeping doors locked.

• Equipping doors with an alarm to signal when it is opened. This can be as simple as putting a bell on the door.

• Staving off wandering impulses by taking your loved one for frequent walks outdoors.

• Occupying your loved one with a relatable, doable task that provides a sense of purpose.

"Sometimes, despite your best efforts and precautions, wandering can remain a concern," Holt Klinger says. "If that happens, it may be time to consider a move to a senior living community that specializes in caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias."