Safety Tips
Communicate with Others
It is important to let people know that the person you care for wanders. This means more people will be able to look out for the person and know that he or she might need help finding their home.
- Tell neighbors and your local police that a person with wandering behavior is living there.
- Put reflectors on their outdoor clothing. When buying new clothes, buy athletic shoes with reflectors and brightly colored outerwear.
- Sew in labels or use a permanent laundry marker to write in clothes the person’s name, phone number, and the words “memory impaired.”
- Place cards with important information about your loved one in their pockets, purses, and/or wallets.
- A variety of identification bracelets are available. Most pharmacies have Medic Alert ® bracelets. The National Alzheimer’s Association offers a “Safe Return” program with ID bracelets and live, 24 hour response to an 800 number on the bracelet. Make sure the bracelet fits well and cannot be removed.
- Wear a bracelet that identifies you as a caregiver for someone with memory problems. Matching bracelets may help the person with dementia feel better about wearing his.
- Keep a recent photo and/or video of your loved one as well as a current list of their health problems and medicines.
- Have emergency phone numbers handy eg. doctor, poison control center, neighbors and relatives.
- If the person you care for has to be hospitalized, let the staff know about the pattern of wandering.
Safety Proof the Home
- Disguise doors to the outside in some way, such as paint them the same color as the walls , hang a picture or full length mirror on them*, cover them with curtains or movable screens, place a stop sign on the door. * Note: if a person does not recognize his or her reflection, they may become frightened and the mirror should be removed.
- Put medicines, poisons, matches, guns, and sharp objects in locked cabinets.
- Never lock the person in the home alone. Make sure smoke alarms are working and there is a fire extinguisher.
- Consider having a security alarm placed on doors so you know when the doors have been opened. A less expensive option is to hang bells on the door.
- Place safety gates across stairwells and in doorways that lead to unsafe areas.
- Add deadbolts or slide latches out of sight or reach. Door knob covers may make turning the knobs harder.
- Use a toddler monitor to help you hear activity in other rooms.
- A fenced in backyard with locks on outside gates allows for safer roaming. Be aware of any poisonous plants and trip or water hazards. The person who wanders still must be watched.
