Dementia care: What to do when someone wanders

Aged care consultant Sharon Wall discusses what to do when a family member with dementia wanders.

Dad has started to wander away from home. He cannot find his way back, but insists on going out. Mum is too frail to follow him, sometimes she tries to lock him inside. Should we let him wander outside? What can we do to keep him safe?

Scenarios such as this are of extreme concern to carers and one where risk and quality of life are balanced precariously with safety and concern. In this situation, risk far outweighs safety.

This gentleman is no longer safe on his own. If a similar situation is occuring to you or your loved ones, it might be time to investigate whether there are some services (volunteer services and such) that can assist by taking your family member for a walk every day, or by involving them in regular activities outside the home.

It might also be advisable to consider safety issues and ensure that your loved one has identification on them at all times. This might be in the form of an alert bracelet or similar device.

A system such as the Safely Home Project in NSW (to obtain an information kit, call the Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500) or the Safe Return Home in other states, are definitely worth considering.

These systems provide personalised lockets or bracelets which are worn at all times by the client and are linked to local police data bases.

Additionally, free identification cards can be carried by people with dementia. These are available from the Alzheimer’s Association National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

Article by
AgedCarer Contributor
Sharon Wall
Aged Care Consultant

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