Why Ordinary Routines Can Lead to Missing Incidents in Dementia

When you think about a missing incident, you might picture someone with dementia traveling far from home, boarding a bus, or getting lost in a strange place. But research shows something different.

MedicAlert, together with researchers at the University of Waterloo, studied missing incidents among older adult MedicAlert subscribers. The results, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) in the study “The Prevalence of Missing Incidents and Their Antecedents Among Older Adult MedicAlert Subscribers: Retrospective Descriptive Study” (read the study here), revealed that:

Many missing incidents happen during ordinary daily routines — not unusual or unexpected events.

Why This Finding Matters

This insight is so important for caregivers because it challenges a common assumption: that risk is tied to “big” or “unusual” situations. In reality, loved ones often go missing while:

• Taking a walk around the block
• Attempting to run a familiar errand
• Heading out to “go home” (even if they are already there)

That means even ordinary, everyday activities — the ones caregivers often rely on to give a sense of normalcy — can carry hidden risks.

What Caregivers Can Learn From This

The takeaway isn’t that you should stop your loved one from enjoying routines. In fact, routines are incredibly important for well-being and independence. Instead, the lesson is about how to make daily life safer.

Here’s how caregivers can use this knowledge:

• Supervise everyday activities. Even short walks or errands may require a companion.
• Look for patterns. If certain times of day (like late afternoon) are linked with restlessness, plan activities differently during those times.
• Anticipate triggers. If your loved one often insists on “going home” or “going to work,” prepare gentle ways to redirect or accompany them safely.
• Add a safety layer. Identification, such as a MedicAlert ID, ensures that even if a routine activity turns into a missing incident, help is available quickly.

Turning Research Into Reassurance

For caregivers, it can feel overwhelming to know that even ordinary routines carry risk. But knowledge is power. By understanding that missing incidents are often tied to the familiar, you can take small steps to add safety without taking away independence.

MedicAlert, through our partnership with the University of Waterloo, continues to study these patterns so families like yours have the knowledge to prepare, adapt, and feel reassured.

When you know what to expect, you can build safety into everyday life — keeping both routines and peace of mind intact.