How to Handle Dementia Wandering and Keep Your Loved One Safe at Home
- Nestcare Home Care and Private Duty Nursing
- May 11
- 4 min read
Why It Happens, What You Can Do Today, and How to Prevent a Crisis
In this blog we will discuss: dementia wandering, Alzheimer’s safety at home, stop dementia from wandering, dementia home safety, how to keep dementia patient safe
“She was just in the living room… and then she was gone.”
If you’ve ever had a loved one with dementia wander, you know the terrifying feeling.
Maybe they walked out the front door unnoticed.Maybe they were found blocks away—confused and afraid.Maybe you now live in constant fear that it could happen again.
Wandering isn’t just scary. It’s dangerous.
In fact, 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at some point.And if not found within 24 hours, up to half of those individuals may suffer serious injury or death.
But there’s good news: You can reduce the risk—without locking down your home like a hospital.
In this post, we’ll cover:
Why dementia wandering happens
The warning signs and triggers
Proven steps to make your home safer
Tools and strategies that give you peace of mind
Why Does Dementia Wandering Happen?
Wandering isn’t always about “running away.” It’s often a result of:
🧠 Disorientation
They may not recognize where they are—even if it’s their own home.
🕰️ Confused Routine
They believe they need to go to work, catch a bus, or meet someone—based on an old memory.
😰 Anxiety or Fear
They might feel the need to escape something they don’t understand.
🚶 Restlessness or Boredom
Sometimes wandering is a form of pacing or searching for stimulation.
🧭 Looking for Something Familiar
They may be trying to “go home”—even if they’re already there.
Warning Signs of Wandering in Dementia
Don’t wait for it to happen. Watch for early signs, like:
Trying to open doors repeatedly
Talking about needing to “go home” or “get to work”
Restlessness, especially in the late afternoon
Asking about deceased loved ones
Becoming anxious in unfamiliar surroundings
Shadowing or pacing behavior
Sudden attempts to leave when visitors arrive or routines change
10 Ways to Reduce Dementia Wandering
✅ 1. Stick to a Structured Daily Routine
Routine reduces confusion and helps anchor your loved one in time and space.
Pro tip: Use Nest Care Cards as daily touchpoints for activities, movement, and connection to prevent pacing and restlessness.
✅ 2. Engage Them With Purposeful Activities
Boredom leads to wandering. Keep their hands and minds engaged with:
Folding laundry
Watering plants
Sensory-friendly activities
Dementia-safe movement routines
Our Activity Deck and Movement Cards help prevent agitation before it starts.
✅ 3. Secure Exits Without Causing Fear
Use childproof door covers or top-mounted locks
Paint doors the same color as walls to reduce visibility
Place signs like “Laundry Room” or “Bathroom” to redirect
🧠 The goal isn’t confinement—it’s gentle redirection.
✅ 4. Install Motion Sensors or Door Alarms
Simple devices that alert you when a door opens can save lives—and ease anxiety.
✅ 5. Avoid Triggers Like Crowds, Noise, or Late-Day Chaos
Overstimulation can lead to a desire to escape. Keep the environment calm and familiar, especially in the evening.
✅ 6. Keep Car Keys and Shoes Out of Sight
Visual cues can trigger old habits. Store items that suggest “leaving” in a safe place.
✅ 7. Use Identification Tools
If wandering does occur, make sure your loved one:
Wears an ID bracelet
Has contact info in clothing or pockets
Is enrolled in a GPS safety program like Medical Alert + Safe Return
✅ 8. Introduce Movement Into Their Day
Sometimes wandering is the body’s way of saying, “I need to move.”
Try:
Chair exercises
Sock toss games
Gentle walks in the yard
The Nest Care Movement Cards give you a way to meet this need safely and consistently.
✅ 9. Use Comforting Language
When they insist on “leaving,” avoid arguing. Try saying:
💬 “We’ll do that right after lunch. Let’s sit together first.”💬 “I’m going with you. Can you help me with something first?”
This defuses urgency without confrontation.
✅ 10. Alert Your Neighbors and Care Network
Let trusted neighbors or nearby friends know that your loved one may wander. Share your contact info and create a simple plan in case they’re spotted outside.
When to Seek Additional Help
If wandering becomes frequent or dangerous, it may be time to:
Bring in a private duty nurse or companion
Evaluate your current safety plan
Consider 24/7 support through home care or memory care services
How Nestcare Helps Families Manage Wandering at Home
At Nestcare, we understand that wandering is more than a safety issue—it’s an emotional one.
You want your loved one to be free, but safe. Independent, but supported. Calm, but not confined.
That’s why we offer tools and services that help families do just that:
Use our Activity, Movement, and Conversation Decks to create structure, reduce agitation, and prevent wandering triggers through:
Gentle engagement
Memory-safe routines
Sensory and physical stimulation
Emotional reassurance
All with no prep and minimal supplies.
Our trained dementia nurses can:
Help set up a wandering prevention plan
Offer home safety walk-throughs
Support evening agitation (sundowning) that often precedes wandering
We support you—not just the person with dementia. Let us help you create real-life solutions that work in your home, on your schedule.
Wandering is one of the scariest parts of dementia caregiving—but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. With structure, connection, and the right tools, you can create a safer home, reduce confusion, and respond with calm—not fear.
Because home should feel like a sanctuary—not a risk.
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