People most at risk for wandering include those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or autism, says A. Gordon Smith, MD, FAAN, chair of the neurology department at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

Neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease negatively impact memory and visual-spatial functioning and can cause patients to forget where they are, wander off, and become lost as they try to navigate their way back home, says Dr. Smith. At least six in 10 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease wander at some point, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Serious Risks

“There are multiple risks to patients when they wander,” says Dr. Smith. “If they get confused and lost, they can get into situations where they can be injured or even die of exposure. Patients with dementia often have impaired mobility, and the risk of falling is also accentuated.”

Important Precautions

To prevent wandering, the National Institutes of Health recommends locking and dead-bolting doors, placing visual cues like stop signs in front of doors, and securing yards with fencing and locked gates. Families can also enroll their relatives in a program like Project Lifesaver, says Dr. Smith. “It’s easy to forget the burden that brain disease has on caretakers and communities. Project Lifesaver supports the patient and the caretaker in exploring the environment and doing things that are enjoyable to them. It’s a critical safety net.”