Planning Ahead for Safety Without Sacrificing Dignity

Wandering is one of the most common and concerning challenges in dementia care. While not all individuals with dementia will wander, those who do are often motivated by restlessness, confusion, routine, or a desire to “go home”—even if they are already there.

Developing a wandering prevention and response plan ensures safety without stripping away autonomy. With early planning and compassionate preparation, families and carers can balance dignity with security, while reducing distress for everyone involved.

Platforms like Evaheld provide space to store care preferences, behavioural triggers, and emergency contacts in the secure Evaheld Legacy Vault, making critical information available when it’s most needed.

Why Advance Planning for Wandering Matters

According to Advance Care Planning Australia, early planning supports safer, values-based care. In the case of wandering:

• Families feel less panic and more confidence
• Carers respond faster and more effectively
• The individual’s preferences are respected
• Emergency services can act quickly with proper information

Planning ahead also improves wellbeing by creating consistent environments and reducing unnecessary restrictions.

Understanding the Triggers of Wandering

Common causes of wandering include:

• Disorientation or confusion about location
• Attempting to follow former routines (e.g. going to work or school)
• Boredom or lack of stimulation
• Pain or discomfort
• Feeling lost or abandoned

Documenting these behaviours early helps carers spot warning signs. Dementia Support Australia offers helpful guidance on interpreting restlessness and understanding movement patterns.

Key Components of a Wandering Prevention and Response Plan

1. Daily Routine and Activity Plan

Structure and consistency reduce wandering. Document the person’s:

• Daily walk times
• Meal and rest periods
• Places they like to visit or avoid
• Times of day when confusion increases

This schedule can be stored securely in the Evaheld Legacy Vault, so all carers have access.

2. Known Triggers and Comfort Tools

List sensory cues or emotional states that lead to restlessness (e.g. loud noises, unfamiliar visitors). Also note:

• Comfort items (blankets, pets, music)
• Reassuring phrases
• Favourite sitting spots

Tools from Family Legacy Series can help structure these notes meaningfully.

3. Physical Environment Adjustments

Plan for safe spaces:

• Secured outdoor areas for walking
• Door alarms or monitoring systems
• Clear signage and familiar visuals
• Personalised entryways (e.g. family photos near bedroom)

The Evaheld blog explores how environment design plays a key role in legacy-preserving dementia care.

Emergency Response Protocols

A strong plan includes:

• Current photo and description
• Emergency contact list (stored in Evaheld)
• Preferred hospitals or medical centres
• Whether the person responds to their name
• Known destinations they might seek

These details can also be included in your Advance Health Directive or shared with services like police and aged care centres in advance.

Nurse Info suggests updating this information every six months or when health or routines change.

Involving the Person in Planning

When in early stages of dementia, the individual can—and should—participate in the plan:

• Record a message to be used if found wandering
• Choose safe walking routes or familiar companions
• Share how they’d like to be approached if lost or confused
• Decide who should be contacted first in an emergency

With Evaheld, they can store these personal instructions for trusted recipients only.

Supporting Carers and Families

Wandering can be terrifying for families. A clear plan offers:

• Clarity in chaotic moments
• Comfort in knowing steps are in place
• Control through structured routines and visual cues

The Online Will Blog explains how legacy and care documents help families feel more prepared when facing unpredictable behaviours.

Spiritual, Emotional, and Cultural Considerations

Wandering isn’t always aimless. Sometimes, individuals are seeking connection, purpose, or familiarity. Understanding their spiritual or cultural history can help.

Examples:

• A person may walk toward a church out of habit
• A farmer may wake and try to tend the garden
• An elder may seek out certain smells, sounds, or paths

These legacies can be preserved—and honoured—by documenting them in a culturally aware care plan. Advance Care Planning Australia encourages inclusion of cultural routines and spiritual beliefs in advance care directives.

Safety Technologies and Legacy Integration

You might also consider:

• GPS tracking devices
• Medical alert bracelets
• Smart locks or alarms
• QR codes linking to stored preferences in Evaheld

When these tools are used with consent and sensitivity, they enhance both safety and autonomy.

Final Thoughts

Wandering doesn’t mean disconnection—it means we must plan with care.

By developing a compassionate and proactive response, we honour the person’s history, dignity, and preferences—while protecting their future.

Advance planning transforms fear into focus. And with the right tools, you’re never alone in navigating the journey.