What is Wandering?

"Wandering” refers to a variety of behaviours that may result in people with dementia becoming lost or having their safety at risk.

Even if a place is familiar, dementia can cause a person to become disoreinted and unable to find their way home.

It is important to remember that no one thing is going to ensure the safety of a person with dementia. Multiple strategies are recommended.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. can assist people with dementia and their families to explore a variety of practical strategies to minimize the risk of wandering and to be prepared if wandering does occur.
 

Where to Start

Download the Wandering Package Tools located on the right-hand panel of this page. Wandering Package Tools are also available from your local Alzheimer Resource Centre.

If you have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, consider reviewing  the information and strategies found on the Disorientation and Dementia fact sheet.

Learn more about wandering...


Safely Home®



Safely Home® is nationwide program developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Once registered, individuals receive a bracelet engraved with an identification number. Vital information about the person is stored confidentially on a police database. This information can be accessed by police anywhere in Canada to determine where the person lives and ensure they are returned home safely.

Call 1-800-616-8816 or visit www.safelyhome.ca to register.

For a one-time fee of $35, the Alzheimer Society of Canada provides:

  • an identification bracelet
  • a Caregiver Handbook
  • identification cards
  • updates to the member's file as often as they are provided by the caregivers or the member.

Visit www.safelyhome.ca to learn more about how the program works.

We also strongly recommend that families always keep a recent photo of the person with dementia on hand.

Wandering Package Tools:

Identification Kit
Wandering Information Kit
Tips for Police
Locating Devices
Disorientation and Dementia


Helpful Links:

Safely Home®
Wandering

No one thing is going to ensure the safety of the person with dementia. Multiple strategies are recommended and the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is here to assist you with exploring a variety of strategies to help you be prepared in the event that a wandering incident does occur.