How can we prevent wandering? Comprehensive strategies for caregivers

Oct 27, 2025 4 min read •

Health caregiving Safety

According to the Alzheimer's Association, 6 out of 10 people with dementia will wander at least once, highlighting the critical need for preventive measures. Understanding the motivations behind wandering is the first step toward creating a safer environment and implementing effective strategies for how can we prevent wandering in vulnerable individuals, children, and pets.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical strategies for preventing wandering in vulnerable individuals and pets, including securing the home, using tracking technology, managing routines, and recognizing common triggers like boredom or anxiety.

Key Points

Secure the Environment: Install deadbolts, alarms, and motion sensors on doors and windows to prevent unmonitored exit.
Leverage GPS Technology: Equip vulnerable individuals and pets with wearable GPS trackers to monitor their location in real-time.
Maintain Routine and Engagement: Establish a consistent daily schedule and provide mentally and physically stimulating activities to reduce restlessness and boredom.
Create Safe Spaces: Ensure there is a securely fenced yard or other safe outdoor area for supervised exploration.
Utilize Identification: Ensure individuals wear medical ID bracelets and pets have microchips and ID tags for swift identification if they wander.
Develop an Emergency Plan: Have an updated photo, medical information, and neighbor contact list readily available for use in an emergency.
Address Underlying Triggers: Recognize and address unmet needs like hunger, thirst, or discomfort that may lead to the urge to wander.
Inform Your Community: Make neighbors and local authorities aware of the situation and provide them with a recent photo.

Understanding the Root Causes of Wandering

To effectively prevent wandering, it is crucial to first understand the underlying reasons for this behavior. Wandering is not aimless; it is often purposeful, even if the person or animal's reasoning is impaired. For individuals with dementia, the cause might be rooted in confusion, disorientation, or trying to fulfill a past routine, such as going to work or picking up children from school. Restlessness, agitation, or unmet needs like hunger or thirst can also be triggers. In pets, wandering can be caused by boredom, mating instincts, or fear from loud noises like fireworks. By identifying these triggers, caregivers can implement targeted strategies instead of reacting with confusion or frustration.

Securing the Home and Environment

Creating a secure physical environment is a cornerstone of preventing wandering. This involves a multi-layered approach, combining simple modifications with technological aids.

Home security modifications

Install locks: Place deadbolts or specialized locks high or low on exterior doors, out of the line of sight for someone with cognitive impairment. Childproof doorknob covers can also be effective.
Use alarms and sensors: Consider door and window alarms that chime when opened, motion sensors that trigger an alert, or pressure-sensitive floor mats near the bed or exits. Smart doorbells can also send phone notifications.
Camouflage exits: Visually disguise doors by painting them the same color as the walls or covering them with curtains or removable screens. You can also try placing a dark mat or tape on the floor in front of an exit, as it may appear as an impassable dark hole to some individuals with visual-spatial perception changes.
Create safe outdoor spaces: A securely fenced yard or patio allows for safe outdoor time. Consider creating a circular path with engaging features like bird feeders or benches to encourage supervised walking.

Pet and child-proofing the environment

For pets, ensure fences are secure and gates are self-latching. For dogs that jump, consider an inward-sloping extension on top of the fence.
For children, especially those with developmental disabilities, ensure the home is childproofed and that they have clear, safe areas to play. Keep car keys out of sight.

Using Technology and Identification

Technology offers modern solutions for monitoring and locating vulnerable individuals and pets.

Comparison of tracking and alert devices


Device	How It Works	Best For	Pros	Cons
GPS Tracking Devices	Wearable units (bracelets, pendants, clip-ons) that use GPS to pinpoint location.	High-risk individuals, pets that roam widely.	Unlimited range (with cellular reception), advanced alerts like geofencing.	Requires charging, can be costly, relies on cellular network.
Medical ID Jewelry	Bracelets or pendants with engraved medical info and emergency contact numbers.	All vulnerable individuals as a low-tech backup.	Simple, always visible, requires no power.	Does not track location, can be removed, limited information.
Wireless Motion Sensors	Door or bed alarms that alert a caregiver via a pager or app when motion is detected.	Home monitoring, especially at night.	Cost-effective, easy to install, expandable.	Limited range, does not track location outside the home.

Managing Routines and Engaging Activities

Behavioral strategies are just as important as physical safeguards. A predictable daily routine can reduce anxiety and the impulse to wander.

Establish consistent routines

Create a schedule: A consistent schedule for meals, activities, and bedtime can help regulate the internal clock and reduce nighttime agitation.
Provide engaging activities: Boredom is a common trigger for wandering. Provide mentally stimulating activities tailored to the individual, such as puzzles, gardening, or repetitive tasks like folding laundry. For pets, use puzzle toys or food-based enrichment to keep them occupied.
Incorporate physical activity: Supervised walks or structured exercise can help reduce restlessness and improve sleep quality.

Proactive communication and observation

Identify triggers: Keep a diary or log of wandering incidents to identify patterns, such as specific times of day or environmental factors.
Address unmet needs: Before a person wanders, check if they are hungry, thirsty, too hot or cold, in pain, or need to use the bathroom.
Involve neighbors: Inform trusted neighbors, local police, and businesses about the individual's condition and provide a recent photo.
Stay calm: If a person with dementia becomes agitated, respond with empathy and reassurance rather than correction. Redirect their focus to a safe, familiar activity.

Planning for Emergencies

Despite all precautions, wandering can still occur. Having an emergency plan is vital for a quick and effective response.

Create an emergency plan

Prepare a contact list: Keep an up-to-date list of family members, friends, and neighbors to call immediately if someone goes missing.
Have recent records: Have a recent, close-up photograph and detailed medical information, including common locations they might wander to, ready to provide to law enforcement.
Register with programs: Enroll the individual in a safe return program like MedicAlert or Project Lifesaver.
Act quickly: If the person or pet goes missing, call 911 immediately. Time is of the essence in these situations.

Conclusion

Preventing wandering requires a proactive, multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of the behavior. By combining home safety modifications, leveraging technology like GPS trackers, establishing routines, and creating a robust emergency plan, caregivers can significantly reduce the risks associated with wandering. Consistent supervision, effective communication, and understanding the individual's or pet's needs are all key to ensuring their safety and providing peace of mind.

Tips and Reminders

Stay calm and patient. Agitated responses can increase a person's anxiety and urge to wander.
Ensure identification is always worn, such as a medical ID bracelet or clothing labels, in case other measures fail.
Create visual cues in the home, like labels on doors, to reduce confusion and disorientation.
Regular physical activity can help minimize restlessness and improve sleep patterns.
Keep keys, wallets, and coats out of sight near exits to remove triggers for leaving.

Frequently Asked Questions

A combination of strategies is most effective. This includes securing the home with high or low-placed locks and alarms, using a wearable GPS tracking device, maintaining a predictable daily routine, and identifying and addressing underlying triggers like boredom or unmet needs.

Preventative measures include ensuring your yard is securely fenced with self-latching gates. Provide mental stimulation through puzzle toys and regular walks. For determined escape artists, consider using a GPS collar tracker and having them spayed or neutered.

Yes, devices like the AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker are specifically designed for children with special needs and are considered a safe, comprehensive safety device. They offer unlimited tracking distance and customizable alerts for maximum protection.

Call 911 immediately. Have a recent photograph and a list of familiar places they might go ready for the police. If they are registered with a program like MedicAlert or Project Lifesaver, call them as well.

To prevent an indoor cat from escaping, try designating a specific door for outdoor trips (on a harness) or using an electronic cat door. Distract your cat with toys or treats as you exit and ensure they are spayed or neutered to reduce the urge to roam.

Yes. Structured routines and consistent physical activity can significantly reduce restlessness, anxiety, and disorientation, all of which are common triggers for wandering. Engaging activities also reduce boredom.

Yes. Informing trusted neighbors and local businesses can create a valuable support network. They can act as extra eyes and alert you if they see your loved one outside alone, potentially preventing a dangerous situation.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.