If that moment you dread has happened and you can't find your loved one with Alzheimer's, take a deep breath and think about where he could have wandered off to. Since up to half of people with dementia who aren't found within 24 hours face serious injury or even death, time is of the essence. Here are some places to start:
- If the person lives near a busy street or by water, check those places first.
- Search every room in the home or building they live in and any outbuildings.
- Quickly alert a few neighbors, family members or friends to assist you in looking.
- Make a report to the local police to enlist their assistance. If the weather is cold or dangerous, you will want to make that report immediately.
- Know the license plates and descriptions of any vehicles at your home.
- Have a recent picture of the person handy so that he can be easily recognized by others searching for him.
- Keep track of when you think he was first missing, as this will help determine how far away he could have gone.
- Remember what he was wearing so you can provide a good description of him to those searching.
- Grab an item of clothing that was recently worn by your loved one and put it in a plastic bag in case the authorities use a tracking dog to help locate him.
- Alert the Alzheimer's Association MedicAlert + Safe Return system if he is enrolled.
- Search places that he typically liked to walk to or drive to, depending on if he left on foot or in a vehicle.
Keep in mind that most people with dementia who wander are found within less than 2 miles from home and near a road. Additionally, if this is not the first time your loved one has gone missing, consider acquiring some more assistance with his care, whether that's additional in-home services or facility care.
When the Missing Person Is Found
When your loved one returns home or is located, notify and thank the authorities and others involved in the search. And, although this may be difficult, don't scold him. He may have been as worried as you were because nothing looked familiar. He also may have been completely unaware that his actions caused any concern, and your attempts to explain this will not be successful. Concentrate on being grateful for his return and provide him with reassurance that he's home and safe now.Sources:
Alzheimer's Association. Wandering. Accessed November 24, 2011. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_wandering_behaviors.asp"
Alzheimer's Australia. Wandering. Accessed November 27, 2011. http://www.fightdementia.org.au/services/wandering.aspx
Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Behavioral Challenges: Coping With...Wandering. Accessed November 27, 2011. http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/wandering.html
U.S. National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging. Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease. Accessed November 24, 2011. http://www.nia.nih.gov/nia.nih.gov/Templates/ADEARCommon/ADEARCommonPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={D81035BD-CBF2-4F17-9A81-7D7843DEE6CC}&NRORIGINALURL=%2fAlzheimers%2fPublications%2fhomesafety.htm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#wandering
Koester M.S., Robert J. The Lost Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Search Subject: New Research & Perspectives. Virginia Department of Emergency Management; Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference. Accessed 11/26/2011.http://www.dbs-sar.com/SAR_Research/lost_alzheimer.htm
