If your loved one living with dementia has ever wandered — even once — it can feel like one of the scariest moments of caregiving. You may tell yourself, “Maybe it was just a one-time thing.” But research shows otherwise.
In fact, MedicAlert, in partnership with the University of Waterloo, studied wandering among older adult MedicAlert subscribers and found that a previous wandering incident is the strongest predictor of future risk. The findings, published in BMC Geriatrics in the study “Factors Associated With a History of Critical Wandering Among MedicAlert Subscribers” (read the study here), confirm what many caregivers have experienced firsthand: once wandering happens, it could very possibly happen again.
Why This Finding Is So Important
For caregivers, this knowledge is both sobering and empowering.
- Sobering because it means a first incident isn’t a fluke — it’s a signal that wandering may now be part of your loved one’s dementia journey.
- Empowering because knowing this gives you a chance to prepare early, before a potential next incident happens.
What Caregivers Should Do After the First Incident
If your loved one has wandered even once, here are the most important steps you can take:
- Treat It as a Pattern, Not a One-Time Event
Don’t wait to see if it happens again. Assume it will — and act accordingly.
- Share the Information With Healthcare Providers
Tell doctors, nurses, and support staff. A history of wandering helps them adjust care plans and may influence medication management, safety recommendations, and referrals.
- Put Safety Measures in Place Immediately
- Secure doors and windows with alarms or locks.
- Create a routine that balances activity with rest, reducing restlessness that can lead to wandering.
- Ensure car keys, transit passes, or other “escape routes” are out of easy reach.
- Make Identification Non-Negotiable
A MedicAlert ID should be worn at all times, even at home. Since many incidents start close to the house, responders or neighbors need a quick way to identify your loved one.
- Build a Rapid Response Plan
Have a “missing person plan” ready:
- Who will you call first?
- What neighbors or community members should be alerted?
- Do you have a recent photo of your loved one accessible on your phone?
Why Preparation Protects Everyone
Wandering is not a reflection of poor caregiving — it’s a symptom of dementia. By responding decisively after the first incident, you’re not only protecting your loved one, you’re also protecting yourself from future crisis-driven stress.
MedicAlert, through our research with the University of Waterloo, continues to study wandering so families can turn fear into preparedness. Our goal is simple: to help caregivers keep loved ones safe, supported, and found quickly if they go missing.
If wandering has happened once, it’s time to prepare for next time — because preparation is the best way to replace fear with peace of mind.
