For families caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, one of the most frightening situations is realizing their loved one has wandered away.
Wandering can happen unexpectedly—and when it does, every minute matters. Cold winter weather makes a missing person emergency even more concerning, which is why caregivers should prepare before a crisis occurs.
One simple step you can take today is to create an Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit. Keeping this information together in one easily accessible place can help family members, police, and emergency responders quickly understand who they are looking for and where to begin the search.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Wandering
Wandering is a common behavior among people living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at some point during the progression of the disease.
Wandering can happen at any stage and for many different reasons. A person may be looking for someone or somewhere familiar, trying to return to a former home or workplace, or simply become confused about where they are.
Whatever the reason, a person with dementia who becomes lost can quickly become vulnerable—particularly during extreme heat or cold.
Being prepared can make a critical difference.
What to Put in an Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit
Your kit should contain information that helps emergency responders quickly identify your loved one, understand their needs, and determine where they may be headed.
1. Recent Photos
Keep several current, clear photos of your loved one.
A recent headshot and a full-length photo are ideal. Choose pictures that accurately reflect how they look today, including their current hairstyle, glasses, facial hair, and other distinguishing features.
If available, keep a short home video as well. It may provide responders with additional visual information about your loved one.
2. A Detailed Physical Description
Write down everything that could help someone identify your loved one.
Include:
- Hair and eye color
- Height and weight
- Age
- Typical clothing
- Glasses or hearing aids
- Tattoos, scars, birthmarks, or other distinguishing features
- Any physical limitations or mobility concerns
Update this information whenever your loved one’s appearance changes.
3. Medical Information
Include important medical information that emergency responders may need if your loved one is found.
Consider including:
- Medical conditions
- Current medications
- Allergies
- Physician information
- Mobility or communication limitations
- Other important care needs
Keep this information current and make sure family caregivers know where the kit is located.
4. Emergency Contacts
List several people who can be reached quickly.
Include names and phone numbers for family members, close friends, neighbors, or other caregivers who know your loved one well.
The easier it is for responders to reach someone who knows your loved one, the better.
5. A List of Familiar Places
Think about the places your loved one may try to reach if they wander.
Include names and addresses of familiar locations such as:
- A former home
- Church
- Favorite restaurant or store
- Family members’ homes
- Previous workplace
- Favorite park or walking route
Someone experiencing memory loss may still remember places that were important to them many years ago.
6. Vehicle Information
If your loved one still drives, include detailed information about their vehicle.
List the:
- Make and model
- Year
- Color
- License plate number
Include recent photos of the vehicle as well. This information can be especially helpful to law enforcement if your loved one leaves in their car.
Keep Your Kit Updated and Accessible
Once your Alzheimer’s Wandering Kit is complete, don’t put it away and forget about it.
Review it regularly and update photos, medications, contact information, vehicle information, and physical descriptions as needed.
Give copies to family members and other trusted caregivers so more than one person knows where to find the information in an emergency.
You may never need to use your wandering kit. But if the day comes when your loved one goes missing, having this information ready can help eliminate valuable search time.
A Little Preparation Can Go a Long Way
Wandering is one of the most challenging aspects of dementia caregiving, but families can take steps to prepare for the possibility.
Create your kit today, share it with the people involved in your loved one’s care, and keep it updated. It’s a small investment of time that can provide peace of mind—and potentially help bring your loved one home safely and quickly.
For additional information and strategies to help prevent wandering, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s resources on wandering and getting lost.
