6 in 10 People With Alzheimer's, Dementia Will Wander

The Alzheimer's Association cautions that wandering and getting lost is common among people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and can happen during any stage of the disease, reports the Maryland Independent . Cindy Schelhorn, senior director of communications and marketing with the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, wrote in an official release: "Even in the early stages of dementia, the person can become disoriented or confused for a period of time and may not remember his or her name or address." Behaviors that may indicate an increased risk of wandering range from trying or wanting to "go home," even when at home to forgetting how to get to familiar places to talking about fulfilling obligations they no longer have, such as going to work. Planning ahead and being prepared is important for when such dangerous situations occur. The following are strategies to help lower the chances of a wandering incident: one, identify the most likely times of day that wandering may occur; two, ensure all basic needs are met; three, install locks that are out of the line of sight; and, four, if the person is no longer driving, remove access to car keys.