Tips to prevent people with dementia from wandering

WEATHER SAFETY TIPS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR THOSE MAINERS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA. JIM KEITHLEY HAS DETAILS. THE ALZHEIMER’S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA HAS COME UP WITH SOME COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS TO HELP PEOPLE STAY SAFE THIS WINTER. FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT, EXPERTS SAY PREVENTING WANDERING DURING THIS DANGEROUS COLD SNAP IS SO IMPORTANT. THE ALZHEIMER’S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA SAYS SIMPLE SAFETY TIPS COULD SAVE LIVES. LEAH DALY – SENIOR MANAGER OF EDUCATION FOR THE AFA SAYS CAREGIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF SEVERAL THINGS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA OR ALZHEIMER’S ARE PRONE TO VISUAL CUES OR TRIGGERS SIMPLY BY SEEING A JACKET, SHOES AND KEYS BY THE DOOR COULD PROMPT THEM TO WANDER OFF. “EVEN IF THEIR PLAN WAS NOT TO GO FOR A WALK OR NOT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE – THEY MAY SEE THAT JACKET, THEY MAY SEE THOSE SHOES AND SAY – I GUESS I WAS OVER HERE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE – I GUESS I SHOULD PUT THESE ON.” DALY SAYS IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO PUT THOSE ITEMS AWAY. SHE SAYS CAREGIVERS CAN DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO STIMULATE AND SATISFY SOCIAL NEEDS AND COGNITIVE STIMULATION. “IF THEY’RE REALLY NOT DONE MUCH IN THE DAY, THIS CAN CAUSE RESTLESSNESS AND CAN LEAD PEOPLE TO GO OUTSIDE.” AGE FRIENDLY SACO – IS A GROUP OFFERING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND GATHERINGS FOR ELDERLY MAINERS. BECKY HADIARIS SAYS THEY HAVE 100 VOLUNTEERS OFFERING LUNCHEONS AND OTHER GATHERINGS TO DO THEIR PART IN HELPING TO ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS. “AND REALLY HAVING A CIRCLE OF CARE AROUND YOU IS IMPORTANT TOO. THE MORE PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED I THINK THE SAFER THAT THEY ARE.” ANOTHER SAFETY TIP, THEY SAY, IS TO HAVE CAMERAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. SO IF YOUR LOVED ONE WAN

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers tips to prevent wandering during dangerous cold

Updated: 9:05 PM MST Jan 23, 2026

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Extreme cold is considered the deadliest form of weather, causing more fatalities than heat, floods, or storms, according to health experts.Several parts of the U.S. in for ice, snow, and/or cold temperatures this weekend. That’s why cold weather safety tips are being offered for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is sharing some tips to help people stay safe in cold weather.Experts said preventing wandering during this dangerous cold weather is most important.Leah Daly, a senior manager of education for the AFA, said caregivers should be aware of several things, including the fact that people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s are prone to visual cues or triggers. Simply seeing a jacket, shoes and keys by the door could prompt them to wander off, according to Daly.”Even if their plan was not to go for a walk or not to leave the house, they may see that jacket, they may see those shoes and say: ‘I guess I was over here to leave the house. I guess I should put these on,'” Daly said.Daly said it’s a good idea to put those items away. She said caregivers should do whatever they can to stimulate and satisfy social needs and cognitive stimulation.”If they have really not done much in the day, this can cause restlessness and can lead people to go outside,” Daly said. Experts said cameras should be set up inside and outside the home, so if a loved one wanders off, their caregivers know when they left and what they were wearing. This becomes critical information if authorities are called in to search for someone reported missing.

Extreme cold is considered the deadliest form of weather, causing more fatalities than heat, floods, or storms, according to health experts.

Several parts of the U.S. in for ice, snow, and/or cold temperatures this weekend. That’s why cold weather safety tips are being offered for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is sharing some tips to help people stay safe in cold weather.

Experts said preventing wandering during this dangerous cold weather is most important.

Leah Daly, a senior manager of education for the AFA, said caregivers should be aware of several things, including the fact that people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s are prone to visual cues or triggers. Simply seeing a jacket, shoes and keys by the door could prompt them to wander off, according to Daly.

“Even if their plan was not to go for a walk or not to leave the house, they may see that jacket, they may see those shoes and say: ‘I guess I was over here to leave the house. I guess I should put these on,'” Daly said.

Daly said it’s a good idea to put those items away. She said caregivers should do whatever they can to stimulate and satisfy social needs and cognitive stimulation.

“If they have really not done much in the day, this can cause restlessness and can lead people to go outside,” Daly said.

Experts said cameras should be set up inside and outside the home, so if a loved one wanders off, their caregivers know when they left and what they were wearing. This becomes critical information if authorities are called in to search for someone reported missing.

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