Disorientation and Dementia

“We tend to assume that wandering is aimless. It’s important to change the lens of what wandering is. It’s a lot more than just an aimless behaviour. It can be a sign of some need that’s not being met; for example, hunger, wanting to be with people, or missing the smells and the sounds of nature.” 

- Dr. Noelannah Neubauer  

Statistics indicate that a large percentage of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may become lost at some point during the progression of their disease. When a person living with dementia becomes lost, there is a there is a 50% chance that they will be found injured or dead from hypothermia, dehydration, or drowning if they are not located within 24 hours.  

Nearly 60% of missing person cases involving people with dementia occur in community settings. With more people with dementia living in their homes for longer, more awareness and understanding is needed to support those living with dementia so they can continue to live well in their own communities. 

“Majority of the stories with unfortunate outcomes (for missing persons with dementia) come from rural communities, which speaks to Saskatchewan because it is very much a rural province. Missing persons living with dementia are often found in natural areas like brushes, wooded areas, and ditches. Sometimes you’ll find them in places that other missing populations don’t go to. Research has also been saying that when people with dementia are further along in their journey, they become attracted to (bodies of) water.”  

- Dr. Noelannah Neubauer  

Dementia can cause changes in abilities, behaviour, and communication that, over time, may affect a person’s ability to problem solve and recognize potential hazards. Dementia may also cause disorientation in time and space, meaning a person could have difficulty navigating even well-known surroundings or keeping track of how long they have been away from home.  

“People with dementia aren’t always aware that they’re lost, which adds to the complexity (of this issue.) They aren’t going to reach out for help if they don’t think they’re lost.” 

- Noelannah Neubauer  

If you are a person living with dementia or you care for someone who does, having a plan in place to reduce the risk of unsafe wandering can help maintain the person’s independence, autonomy, and overall well-being. Contact us at the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan if you would like to learn more about developing a safety plan.  

Dr. Noelannah Neubauer is a post-doctoral researcher in the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo. Her research program focuses on the creation and implementation of policies, strategies, and solutions that balance risk and autonomy for persons with dementia that are at risk of getting lost and going missing.