One of the most common hazards someone in need of Alzheimer’s care faces is the potential for wandering. Wandering can occur as either a side effect of medicine or because of an environmental trigger or a vague memory. Incidences of wandering often occur because your loved one has gotten distracted while looking for someone or something, is looking to get away from an overwhelming situation or because of an old routine he or she once followed. Here are a few tips to help control wandering:

- Label rooms in the house with words or pictures that clearly display what the main purpose of the room is. Alzheimer’s patients have been known to wander out of the house while searching for the kitchen.
- Lock the doors in unusual places if someone is home with the patient. Your loved one wouldn’t think to look for a dead bolt near the bottom of the door, so he or she won’t be able to get outside. Because of this, though, it’s dangerous to do this while your loved one is alone.
- Consider professional in home care if your loved one has a history of wandering but you can’t be with him or her at all times. Hiring someone to be with your client or family member will give you peace of mind knowing that someone is watching at times when you can’t.