Dementia and Wandering: Why It Happens and How Secure Memory Care Can Help

Watching a loved one experience the changes that come with dementia can be difficult for families, particularly when those changes begin to affect their loved one’s sense of familiarity and safety. A parent who once knew the neighborhood by heart may suddenly become confused about where they are. They might insist they need to leave the house to go to work, visit a friend, or return to a place they remember from years ago. These situations can be deeply unsettling for family members, especially when there's a risk of getting lost or hurt.

This behavior, known as wandering, is common among people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Understanding what causes wandering and how to respond can help families make safer decisions about care.

What causes wandering in people with dementia?

Wandering isn't necessarily a sign that someone wants to leave home or be alone. Often, the person believes they have somewhere to go or something they need to do. Changes in memory, judgment, and spatial awareness can make it difficult for them to distinguish between past and present or recognize familiar surroundings.

Common causes of dementia wandering include:

• Memory loss and confusion: A person may forget where they are or believe they need to return to a childhood home or another familiar place.
• Physical needs: Hunger, thirst, pain, discomfort, or the need to use the bathroom may cause someone to get up and walk around, especially if they have difficulty understanding or articulating what they need.
• Anxiety and restlessness: Changes in the brain that occur with dementia can make it harder to process information and manage emotions. Someone who feels unsettled may pace or walk from room to room, looking for a way out.
• Familiar habits and responsibilities: A person may still feel responsible for activities they handled years ago, such as picking up children from school or walking the dog.
• Lack of activity: People with dementia still want to move, explore, and take part in everyday activities. They may begin to compensate for the lack of activity by wandering.

Some people also experience increased confusion and agitation later in the day, a pattern commonly called sundowning. This can lead to increased pacing, restlessness, and attempts to leave familiar surroundings in the late afternoon or evening.

What are the risks of wandering?

A person who becomes lost may not remember their address, recognize familiar landmarks, or know how to ask for help. They may also have difficulty explaining their situation to someone who offers assistance.

Some of the risks include:

• Falls and injuries: Poor judgment, balance problems, and unfamiliar surroundings can increase the likelihood of accidents.
• Traffic and other hazards: Someone may walk into a busy street, enter an unfamiliar property, or venture into an area with potential dangers.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures: A person who becomes lost may not recognize the dangers of prolonged exposure to heat or cold or know where to find shelter.
• Exhaustion and dehydration: Walking for extended periods without access to water, food, or a place to rest can create additional health concerns.

These risks can be especially difficult for family caregivers to manage. Even a short trip away from home or a few minutes spent in another room may cause worry if a loved one cannot safely be left alone.

Recognizing the warning signs is key to avoiding a wandering incident.

Wandering doesn't always begin with someone walking out the front door. Families may notice smaller changes first, particularly as dementia progresses.

Some behaviors to watch for include:

• Repeatedly asking to go home, even when already at home.
• Talking about going to work or taking care of responsibilities from the past.
• Pacing or walking from room to room without an apparent destination.
• Having trouble finding familiar rooms or navigating the home.
• Attempting to leave the house without explaining where they are going.
• Returning late from familiar walks or becoming lost in places they once knew well.
• Becoming increasingly anxious or disoriented in unfamiliar or crowded settings.

Families should also remember that wandering can happen unexpectedly. Someone who has never shown this behavior before may begin doing so as their cognitive abilities change.

How does a secure memory care environment help prevent wandering?

When wandering becomes a recurring concern, families may find that providing the necessary supervision at home is no longer realistic. A secure memory care community offers an environment specifically designed to address many of the safety challenges associated with dementia.

Here are four security advantages of a dedicated memory care community:

1.      Secured entrances and exits: Controlled access points to help prevent residents from leaving the building or grounds without supervision. This may include secured exterior doors, monitoring systems, and dedicated staff oversight. This helps reduce the risk of a resident walking away unnoticed while allowing them to move freely throughout designated areas of the community.

2.      Safe places to walk and spend time outdoors: Secure outdoor spaces, such as enclosed courtyards, landscaped gardens, and walking paths, give residents opportunities to enjoy the outdoors without the risks of wandering out into public streets or unfamiliar areas. Residents can take a walk, work in a garden, or sit outside and enjoy the day in a setting where staff can provide appropriate supervision.

3.      Staff who understand dementia-related behaviors: Memory care staff are trained to watch for changes in behavior, recognize possible triggers, and respond in ways that help residents feel comfortable and reassured. For instance, if a resident becomes restless and repeatedly approaches an exit, a team member may offer to take a walk with them, engage them in a familiar activity, or simply spend a few minutes talking.

4.      Familiar surroundings and easy-to-follow layouts: Clear pathways, recognizable common areas, familiar visual cues, and thoughtfully arranged living spaces can help residents navigate their surroundings with greater confidence. Reducing confusion can help residents feel more comfortable throughout the day.

Are there ways to keep an individual safe from wandering while maintaining their sense of independence?

Yes! Our Anthem Memory Care communities are thoughtfully designed to foster freedom of movement and independence, while leveraging the safety benefits of advanced technologies to provide enhanced, yet unobtrusive, round-the-clock security for all residents.

We believe that keeping residents safe doesn't mean keeping residents from moving around or enjoying their day. Our goal is to provide an environment where they can remain active, spend time outdoors, connect with others, and participate in activities they enjoy without the same risks they might face on their own.

If wandering has become a concern for your family, it may be time to begin looking into memory care communities where a safe environment is a priority. Consider visiting one of our Anthem Memory Care communities to learn about the carefully planned design elements and features that provide a safe yet enriching, person-centered daily experience for residents. 

These insights from our experienced, dementia-certified team members will help you understand the level of care and supervision available and decide what may be the right next step for your loved one. We’re always here to help!

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