Wandering
The 36 sources listed below are each rated on how they can help caregivers better understand and deal with wandering in people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary95%
Coping With Behavior Change in Dementia: A Family Caregiver's Guide
Beth Spencer and Laurie White
Pages 86-93
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with 17 possible physical, medical and emotional causes for wandering and 5 strategies you can try. 9 environmental causes and 5 strategies. 5 causes related to past history and 5 strategies. 3 causes at night and 4 strategies for being up at night. 24 safety measures you can take. 7 strategies for coaxing your relative back to the house. Plus 8 suggestions and other considerations.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%
Project Lifesaver
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This low cost guide can be purchased from Project Lifesaver. The guide provides an action plan to protect a loved one from leaving without warning. A personal data section maintains a photo, physical description, fingerprints, DNA, medical information and emergency phone numbers that can be stored on a smartphone and distributed immediately to authorities.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%
A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia
Laura N. Gitlin, PhD and Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L
Pages 58-64
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Defines wandering and why it might occur. Lists 13 common triggers. Has 25 changes you can make to the home. 11 changes to their daily routine. 20 strategies you can try for wandering at night. 5 strategies for shadowing. 13 strategies for wandering outside the home. 12 bullet points on how to keep the person safe if wandering outside occurs.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Elder Care Online
Mark L. Warner, AIA
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is the 1st part in a 3 part series of articles on home modifications to help caregivers manage loved ones who are prone to wandering. This 1st article is devoted to locks.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Elder Care Online
Mark L. Warner, AIA
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is the 2nd part in a 3 part series of articles on home modifications to help caregivers manage loved ones who are prone to wandering. This 2nd article is on alarms and other means of alerting caregivers about attempts to leave home.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Elder Care Online
Mark L. Warner, AIA
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is the 3rd part in a 3 part series of articles on home modifications to help caregivers manage loved ones who are prone to wandering. This 3rd article is on unconventional devices that prevent wandering, such as diversions and deterrents.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Dementia Care Notes
Geo Location: All (IN)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Multi-topic article. In the section on wandering, there are discusses on: 1) the reasons for wandering, 2) how to change the environment to reduce triggers, 3) hosw to remain alert to initial signs of wandering. and 4) how to get them back home if they wander. There is also an embedded companion video [20:58] that goes in-depth into wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%
Alzheimer's Society of Canada - British Columbia
Geo Location: All (CA)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes what wandering is. Lists 12 reasons for wandering. Has 5 possible reasons for wanting to go home. Provides 6 coping strategies. 10 ways to reduce the risk of wandering. Has links to a guide and identification programs. Plus 10 things to do if wandering occurs.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
Alzheimer’s Research Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes wandering and its causes. Has 6 tips you can try before the person with Alzheimer’s wanders. 3 bullet points on triggers. 9 ways to reduce temptations and stressors. Has tips on tools for safety, how to enlist the help of others, and advance preparation. Embedded video [4:00] discusses 5 causes, 6 strategies, and 3 other thoughts to consider.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
Surviving Alzheimer's (2nd Edition)
Paula Spencer Scott
Pages 211-217
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with an example of wandering. Discusses why it happens including 4 possible causes. Has 25 bullet points on things you can try; plus a coping tip for caregivers.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
When Reasoning No Longer Works (2nd Edition)
Angel Smits
Pages 92-131
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Towards the end of chapter 5 there are 71 tips you can do to prevent or deminish wandering. Chapter 6 is titled 'Gone!'. It explain to logistics of a typical search. Then there are 3 bullet points on how to prepare ahead. 6 first steps to take when someone goes missing. 13 things tell police and rescue workers. 21 bullet points regarding after they are found.
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%
Alzheimer's Society
Geo Location: All (UK)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This is part 1 of a 5 part series: 1) Walking about, 2) Why might someone walk about?, 3) Walking about: Tips for carers, 4) Supporting a person who walks about, and 5) UK resources
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Alzheimer's Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses who's at risk of wandering and 9 warning signs to look out for. Has 9 tips to prevent wandering. Also has an 8 point plan that should be in place beforehand, so you know what to do in case of an emergency.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
National Institute on Aging
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins by describing 6 steps you need to take in preparation for wandering. Has 9 tips to help prevent the person with Alzheimer’s from wandering away from home.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Program
Linda Ercoli, PhD
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
[Video 4:05] Scenario-based video that shows a caregiver and her father dealing with wandering. The video has four parts: common response, expert explanation, recommended reponse, plus 9 tips for dealing with wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Dementia Care Central (National Institute on Aging)
Geo Location: All (US)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 5 causes of wandering. Has 7 suggestions to help prevent or decrease the chance of wandering. Also has information on 5 technology solutions to help with wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Dementia Australia
Geo Location: All (AU)
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 11 reasons for wandering. Has 7 precautions you can try. 8 steps to take if a person with dementia goes missing. 3 bullet points on when the missing person returns home.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Understand Alzheimer's
Pages 91-94
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses early signs of wandering and why it occurs. Looks at the serious risk factors related to wandering. Explains how to find someone using location management software. Plus 10 steps to prevent wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%
Daily Caring
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes why wandering is a serious issue for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and a major worry for caregivers. Lists 5 possible reasons why someone might wander. Has 8 ways to prevent Alzheimer’s wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%
Alzheimers.net (aka A Place For Mom)
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Lists 8 indicators that a senior with dementia may be at risk of wandering. Has 5 practical tips can help lower the chance of wandering. 7 steps to do in advance that can help you locate a loved one safely and quickly.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Elder Care Online
Edyth Ann Knox
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 10 tips on what you can do to help prevent wandering and to ensure that your loved one is returned safely.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide
Nataly Rubinstein, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM
Pages 217-223 & 320-321
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Has a list of 8 things to help you understand wandering. 11 bullet points of things to help keep them safe.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%
Ahead of Dementia
Luciana Mitzkun
Pages 167-173
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with stories about wandering. Has strategies you can implement for prevention. Includes a table on monitoring devices. Describes search and rescue efforts for wandering. Has 9 tips on things to do when someone with dementia goes missing.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Mayo Clinic
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with 5 reasons why a person who has Alzheimer's might wander. Has 4 bullet points on safety. Has a discusses on tips to ensure a safe return.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Aging Care
Marlo Sollitto
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Provides 11 techniques that caregivers can use to minimize the risk of wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
VeryWell Health
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses 8 proactive ways to prevent wandering by examining the underlying movational behavior. Also has 5 other tips on prevention.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%
Alzheimer's Hope
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Suggests 11 precautions you can take to make sure your loved one doesn't begin to wander.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
HelpGuide
Melinda Smith M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Monika White, Ph.D.
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
This multiple topic article begins with a section on common causes. That's followed by a section on creating a calming environment About 1/2 of the way down the web page there's a section specifically on wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook
Sally Willard Burbank, MD and Sue Pace Bell
Pages 189-195
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with an example of wandering and why it is essential to carry identification. Describes what to do if someone with Alzheimer's goes misssing.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%
Confidence to Care (aka Home Instead)
Molly Carpenter
Pages 100-103
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Begins with an example of wandering. Explains why this might happen. Has 10 bullet points for care approaches. Offers examples of how to communicate with people who are prone to wandering. Concludes with 5 tips on prevention.
ALZSmart Score™ - Average40%
WebMD
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
General article that covers the prevention of wandering for all medical conditions. Has 10 common ways to prevent wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Multi-topic article. The section on wandering includes a list of 13 tips on how to cope with wandering.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%
Aging Care
Ashley Huntsberry-Lett
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Compilation of 14 experienced dementia caregivers tips on wandering and securing the home.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%
Alzheimer's Basic Caregiving: An ABC Guide
Kathy Laurenhue, MA
Pages 105-115
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Discusses the issue of mobility from the perspective of a person with Alzheimer's. Explain why people 'want to go home'. Has 6 ways to manage the risk of falls. 12 techniques to discourage entry into rooms.
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory25%
Alzheimer's Through the Stages: A Caregiver's Guide
Mary Moller, MSW, CAS
Pages 102-105
Geo Location: All
ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents
Describes things you can do to increase the safety of someone that wanders. Use examples to help explain the issues. Has situational dos and don'ts.
