Five tips to help keep your loved ones with dementia safe during frigid temperatures

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior for people living with dementia, and if they’re not dressed for the frigid temperatures we are seeing right now, that wandering could have deadly consequences.

According to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, the first step is to watch out for nonverbal cues. Wandering usually stems from an unmet need or desire. If you see this sign in your loved one or a friend, ask if they need something and try to help them out. If your loved one lives at home with you, safeguard your home, take objects like car keys, jackets, purses and hide them away. Seeing these items out in the open, especially near a door, can motivate wandering. Another thing you can do is consider getting or using your smart doorbell, it can notify you if and when your loved one might wander away.

Be sure you know their patterns. A safety plan is key. A list is made with your loved one in mind. It should include these things. First, create a recent close-up photo of your loved one, list their medical information, and a list of places they may go. This is a way for first responders to quickly be able to find them, if they wander away during these temps. Also create a list of people to contact if they do go missing, when at all possible, encourage input from your loved one about that plan. The last thing you can do is connect with a local public safety agency, like Project Lifesaver, it’s a service that allows first responders to activate locating technology if they were to go missing. It is available in Portage, Lincoln, Wood, and Taylor counties. Click here for more info on Project Lifesaver.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America also has a helpline with licensed social workers who are specially trained in dementia care.

You can call 866-232-8484 or text 646-586-5283 24/7 for the helpline.

Click here for a link to more info and a webchat helpline.

Copyright 2025 WSAW. All rights reserved.