Behavior Guidance
Wandering — keeping the door, the car, and the night safe
Six in ten people with dementia will wander at some point. Plan before it happens — recovery is almost always about minutes, not hours.
Updated 2026-02-15
Why people wander
- They believe they're somewhere else ("I have to get home," though they're already home).
- They're looking for someone — often a parent who passed years ago.
- Restlessness — pacing builds up, the door is the next step.
- Pain, full bladder, hunger — wandering is sometimes a request without words.
Prevention layers
- Door alarms — simple battery alarms on every exterior door and the door to the garage.
- Hidden bolts at the top OR bottom of the door — most people with dementia don't look up or down.
- A "camouflage" curtain or a STOP sign on the inside of the front door.
- ID — a MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Wandering Support bracelet ($35, includes 24/7 emergency response).
- GPS — Apple AirTag in their wallet, Jiobit for a child-style tracker, or a GPS smartwatch they will actually wear.
If they leave
- Call 911 immediately — don't wait the old "24 hours" myth. Police treat dementia wandering as a critical missing person.
- Check water first — 75% of people who wander are found within a half mile, often near water.
- Have a current photo on your phone and a printed sheet of identifying details ready to hand to police.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I lock them in the house?
- Never to the point where they cannot exit in a fire. Bolts and alarms that need adult-level dexterity are the safer balance.
- Will a GPS bracelet help?
- Only if your loved one keeps it on. Some refuse — try a familiar wristwatch with a hidden tracker, or a tracker sewn into a belt or shoe.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
Related across the journey
Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
Hard Conversations
GUIDE
Paying for Care
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