What to Do When Someone With Dementia Wanders
Treat a missing person with dementia as urgent; then build a prevention plan around the pattern that caused the exit.
Start here
If the person is missing, call 911 immediately—do not wait or search alone for hours. Tell dispatch the person has dementia or cognitive impairment, give the last known location and direction, and provide a current photo and clothing description.
What to have in front of you
- A recent clear photo and physical description
- Usual walking routes, former homes or jobs, and favorite places
- Current clothing, shoes, phone, vehicle, and tracking-device information
- Medical conditions, medicines, and emergency contacts
- A list of exits, times, or triggers connected to earlier wandering
What to say when someone answers
“A vulnerable adult with dementia is missing. They were last seen at [place and time], wearing [clothes], and may go toward [likely place]. Here is the current photo and medical information.”
Small but useful: Write down the person’s name, the date, the exact next step, and when you should call again.
Do this in order
- 1
Call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
- 2
Have one person stay at the last location while another gathers the photo and details; do not create additional missing people.
- 3
Notify nearby trusted contacts only after law enforcement has the report.
- 4
After the person is safe, tell the clinician and request a home-safety and respite plan through the Elder Helpline.
What happens next
Law enforcement decides which missing-person tools and public alerts apply. Not every case meets the criteria for a statewide alert, so the immediate 911 report matters.
If they say “we’ll put you on the list”
Do not wait for daylight or assume the person will return. For prevention, use door alerts, identification, supervised routines, and backup care without creating a fire or evacuation hazard.
Official sources
Checked August 9, 2026. Programs, hours, funding, and enrollment lists can change. Confirm details directly before relying on them.