Years ago when my dad started wandering, we put bells, or chimes on all the doors that led outside.  Make sure they have some form of identification on them and phone number to call. Also, let the neighbors be aware of the situation so they can call you if they see the person with dementia out wandering. Fortunately, my dad never wandered too far. 

Mom is a wanderer ...always goes to house she grew up in (its across the street) We have double locks, I want chimes. It seems these patients get very restless, they have to walk,  meander around if you will. It bothers my husband. I tell her to pace if she wants, because I KNOW that she can't sit down.

I haven't had to resort to that yet, but we have an alarm system that when manned will sound and it is quite enough to awaken me - especially if he leaves the house through a sliding glass door as opposed to the front or back door.  That alarm is extremely loud.  Putting in an alarm system would be a great idea for those of you who do not have one.

My dad has wandered on many occasions, and we have had to take multiple steps to ensure his safety. We have installed an alarm system that notifies you if any door has been opened (although my mother has slept through the alarm recently due to exhaustion). We have replaced all of the doors with keyed dead bolts so that he does not leave during the middle of the night. He is registered with project lifesaver in our county so the police have put a GPS tracking bacelet on his ankle, and they come every month to replace the battery and check it. We have notified everyone in their immediate community, and try to make sure he always has some form of identification on him, although, he often refused to carry his wallet or even a card with contact information. We have had to do numerous things because Adult Protective Services became involved last year when he began wandering. It took us three months to close his case and was very costly.

Hi, Cheryl,

I, too, had suggested the alarm system, which we just happen to have.  Ours is so loud it would awaken all but the profoundly deaf.

The ankle bracelet is a great idea.  I will look into that.  An idea just occurred to me - perhaps a silly one, but an idea at that.  Reflective tape on the backs of pajamas or other loungewear.  It would at least get the attention of passers-by if a wanderer were to wander out late at night.

Cordially,

Leslie Briney

LeslieAB1@aol.com

perhaps an industrious soul or company can combine a GPS bracelet with an alarm that goes off if the wearer is more then 100 (?) feet from their living quarters, and alerts caregivers by text message!

Has anyone tried the GPS tracking systems available through cell phone companies.  both AT&T and Verizon have them.  I'm checking on Verizon's Chaperone system today to see if it can help with my dad.  If anyone has tried them, how did the work for you?

Well my situation is a little different, she wanders out but she is sometimes aware of what she is doing. Therefore, I had to result to taking her keys and limiting her access to certain parts of the building (basement). I had H*ll to pay for taking her keys, but it was well worth knowing that she isn’t out wandering about the south side of Chicago.
Bless Your Spirit!
-RevYarb