Dementia Wandering Statistics: The Prevalence & Dangers of Wandering
Dementia is a complicated condition that affects some seniors. If you’ve ever cared for a loved one with dementia or other memory problems, you know that their behavior can change drastically.
Dementia is just a symptom and not a disease itself — it can be the result of underlying medical problems. Because of this, your loved one’s personality, cognition, and abilities can change seemingly overnight.
Wandering is a common and frightening side effect of dementia. Learn more about this phenomenon and why it’s so important to monitor as you track the progression of your loved one’s dementia.
Looking at the Numbers: How Many Adults Have Dementia?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia affects over 55 million people across the globe. The WHO also provides many other useful statistics examining who has dementia and how severe it is.
For example, the WHO states that 60 to 70% of dementia cases are the result of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes plaque entanglements in the brain, leading to memory and cognition problems. There is no known cure, and most treatments simply aim to slow down the disease’s progression.
The WHO states that dementia is the seventh leading cause of death in seniors throughout the world. Wandering is one of the behaviors that can lead to fatal incidents in seniors with dementia. This is why it’s important to learn about and prevent wandering.
The Facts About Dementia Wandering
At least 60% of seniors with dementia will wander at least one time. This is frightening when you consider the implications of wandering: going missing, emotional distress, and serious injury or death.
Wandering can include behaviors like:
- Ending up in unfamiliar places
- Straying from a usual routine or errand
- Talking to and going with strangers
- Having trouble finding familiar locations and landmarks
- Having an incorrect sense of the current location (not knowing where they are)
- Mistaking one place for another
- Agitatedly pacing and displaying restlessness
- Insisting on going to a place they’re already at
- Experiencing anxiety in large or crowded places
When wandering strikes, there’s no way to accurately predict where your loved one will end up or what they will do. This makes them a vulnerable target to bad actors and can cause them to go missing.
Where Wanderers Go
Seniors with dementia may try to go to a familiar place, like the grocery store or a nearby neighborhood, and end up somewhere unfamiliar. Similarly, familiar surroundings might start to seem unfamiliar to them, causing them distress and panic.
Other adults with dementia simply wander off peacefully, not realizing that they are lost or that anyone is looking for them.
Because of the unpredictability of dementia, you can’t assume your loved one will stay safe and sound. Trying to predict where they may have gone is a good first step, but oftentimes you need the help of local law enforcement to locate your loved one.
How to Prevent Wandering in Seniors With Dementia
There are preventive steps you can take to ensure your loved one doesn’t wander off and end up in danger:
- Arm the security system at home
- Use a GPS tracker bracelet or necklace
- Secure all home exits at night
- Supervise your loved one in new environments
- Install motion sensors throughout the home
- Use labels and signs to help your loved one navigate
- Keep track of all house and vehicle keys
Prevention is the best way to avoid the serious dangers associated with wandering.
Keeping your loved one in a stable routine is key. They’re more likely to remember things if they know what to expect during all hours of the day. Try to create consistent schedules for eating, sleeping, and bathing to give your loved one a sense of stability and prevent wandering.
What to Do if Your Loved One Wanders Off
Don’t waste any time before beginning your search efforts if your loved one has wandered off. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t find them within 15 minutes, you should call 911. File a report with the authorities so they can begin looking for your loved one immediately.
In the meantime, check the surrounding areas of the last place you saw them. For example, if you’re at the grocery store and your loved one has wandered off, look in the aisles on either side of you first. Then you can check with store clerks and look in broader areas.
Recruit others to help you look for your loved one. Describe what they’re wearing, their physical appearance, and how they might behave if they’re approached. The more help you can get, the better the chances that your loved one will be found safe.
Keeping the Dangers of Wandering at Bay
Sometimes, wandering is inevitable, but with the right precautions in place, you can help prevent it. Don’t shame yourself (or your loved one) if this happens; wandering is, unfortunately, a common side effect of dementia. Use your newfound knowledge to arm yourself and your loved one against the problems and dangers associated with wandering.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
