Roughly 60% of people living with dementia will wander away from home at least once. It’s a risky behavior that puts their safety in jeopardy and places an emotional burden on loved ones. If you’re concerned about a family member wandering, there are simple home modifications for aging in place as well as modern technology tools that can help reduce the risk and bring you peace of mind.
Install Door and Window Alarms, Plus Indoor Motion Sensors
Audible alarms on all exterior doors and windows provide instant alerts if someone leaves the house. Inside the home, motion sensors can notify you if your loved one is moving around during the night, which could signal confusion or restlessness.
Upgrade or Add Door Locks in Unexpected Places
People with dementia often miss visual cues that fall outside their typical line of sight, and this can increase fall risk – but it also means that strategically placing door locks above or below eye level can help prevent them from unlocking and exiting.
Childproofing devices also offer extra protection:
- Doorknob covers that spin freely unless grasped firmly.
- Sliding locks for cabinet doors to secure medications and cleaners.
- High-mounted locks on sliding glass doors to prevent unsupervised exits.
Use Visual Aids to Reduce Confusion Around Doors
Wandering often begins with a simple mistake such as opening the wrong door and losing track of where they are. Visual markers such as the following, placed throughout the house, can support orientation and reduce this risk:
- Clearly label each room: “KITCHEN,” “BATHROOM,” “BEDROOM”.
- Place “STOP” or “DANGER” signs on exits, stairways, and other dangerous areas.
- A large dark rug in front of an exterior door can act as a deterrent; many dementia patients interpret dark flooring as a drop-off or hole and will instinctively avoid it.
Remove Access to Car Keys
It may seem obvious, but car keys should be kept completely out of sight, away from someone who may not realize it’s time in life to stop driving. Even those with advanced dementia may still attempt to drive, which can be extremely dangerous, both for them and others – and even the whole family with a potential lawsuit.
Don’t store keys in coat pockets, handbags, or visible places like counters or entryway hooks. Familiar triggers like seeing car keys can prompt them to act on old routines. For added safety, consider installing a steering wheel lock to make the car inoperable.
Discuss the Situation with Neighbors
Take time to speak with neighbors about your loved one’s condition. Share your contact information and let them know what to do if they see your relative outside unsupervised. Quick action from a neighbor can make all the difference in a crisis.
Use a GPS Tracking and/or Geofencing App
Extreme weather adds another layer of danger to wandering. People with dementia may head outside without coats in winter or become disoriented in heat, unaware of the risks. In one case, a woman with dementia in California was missing for nearly a week before being found alive in her snow-covered car.
Locating someone quickly is critical. The Bay Alarm Medical Caregiver Tracking App is a helpful tool that works with the GPS Mobile Help Button. With it, you can monitor your loved one’s location in real time and set up digital boundaries.
Key features of the Caregiver Tracking App:
- Track your loved one’s live location.
- Receive low battery alerts.
- Use the app across multiple phones or devices.
- Get weather notifications so you can help them dress appropriately.
- Set up geofencing alerts to know when they leave home or enter restricted zones.
These solutions don’t just protect your loved one—they also give you more confidence in their ability to remain at home safely.
