Wandering is one of the most frightening things a family caregiver can face. Your loved one seems fine one moment – and then they’re gone. For families managing dementia at home or in a care setting, it can happen quickly and with little warning, especially as cognitive decline progresses.
The scale of the issue in Canada is growing. In 2026, Canada officially became a “super-aged” nation – meaning more than one in five Canadians is now 65 or older. About one in four seniors aged 85 and older has been diagnosed with dementia and that population is expanding rapidly. By 2030, nearly one million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia.
The missing persons data reflects this reality. Montreal police received 442 missing persons calls for people 60 and over between January and early September 2023, compared with 224 over the same period in 2020. In Manitoba, RCMP reported a sharp rise in missing senior cases over the same period. Police and advocates alike have described the trend as the tip of the iceberg – most people are found by family before police are ever called.
Roughly 60% of people with dementia will wander at least once, and many will do so repeatedly. If an older person is gone for more than 24 hours, there is approximately a 50/50 chance they will face significant, life-threatening harm. In a Canadian winter, that window is even shorter.
Why People with Dementia Wander
Wandering isn’t random. It’s usually driven by something – disorientation, anxiety, or the impulse to return somewhere familiar. Research from the University of Waterloo’s Aging and Innovation Research Program, which has conducted extensive study of dementia-related wandering using Canadian data, shows that people with dementia who wander are often not fleeing – they’re searching, trying to reach somewhere familiar, frequently following routes their memory still holds before disorientation sets in. A person with dementia may not remember where they are or why they’re there, which can make staying put feel unsafe to them even when it isn’t.
This matters because it shapes how you respond. Trying to reason someone out of wandering rarely works. What does work is reducing triggers and creating an environment that feels safer and more manageable.
Practical Steps to Reduce Wandering Risk
Physical safety measures are the foundation. Door alarms and locks installed on the inside of exits – positioned higher or lower than typical eye level – can slow or prevent an unplanned departure without making the person feel confined. These should be operable by a caregiver if the person needs to go outside.
GPS tracking devices have become an increasingly important tool for Canadian families. Available as bracelets, pendants, or discreet inserts for shoes or bags, they can send an alert if your loved one moves outside a set perimeter. This doesn’t prevent wandering, but it dramatically reduces the danger if it does happen – particularly given the climate risks across most of Canada.
ID bracelets with a name and contact number remain a low-tech but valuable backup, particularly if a GPS device is refused or lost. Making sure your loved one carries identification at all times – in a wallet, bag, or sewn into a coat, added into shoes – is a simple step that can speed up a safe return.
Beyond physical safety, redirection is one of the most effective in-the-moment strategies. When you sense your loved one becoming restless or agitated – which often precedes a wandering episode – guiding them toward a familiar, calming activity can interrupt the pattern before it escalates.
When to Seek a Medical Assessment
If wandering is new or has increased significantly, a physician visit is worthwhile. Changes in behaviour can sometimes signal an underlying medical issue – infection, medication side effects, or a shift in the stage of dementia – that may be addressable. A medical review can also open the door to more structured support, including a formal home safety assessment.
When the Care Situation Needs a Closer Look
For families whose loved one is receiving private home care, wandering and safety incidents are also a signal to review whether care is actually being delivered as agreed. Are supervision hours adequate? Is the care plan being followed? Families don’t always have easy visibility into this.
RCM Health’s Elder Care Oversight service provides independent review of both care quality and billing practices, helping families confirm that what they’re paying for reflects what their loved one is actually receiving. If safety has become a concern, it’s a reasonable time to ask those questions.
About RCM Health’s Elder Care Services
RCM Health has served Canadian families since 1993, bringing the same philosophy of independent, expert advocacy that drives our Health Advocacy & Consulting service to the specific challenges of elder care billing and oversight.
If you’re managing a parent’s care from a distance, or you’ve had a quiet feeling that something doesn’t add up, that feeling is worth acting on.
Billing problems in private home care are more common than most families realize. Read our series on the most frequent issues to watch for – starting with upcoding: being billed for care that was never that complicated — or contact RCM Health to request an independent review.
What is the most common cause of wandering in dementia?
Wandering is usually triggered by disorientation, anxiety, or the impulse to return somewhere familiar - often a place that was meaningful earlier in life. It tends to increase as dementia progresses and the person loses the ability to orient themselves in their current environment.
Is wandering dangerous in all circumstances?
The danger level depends largely on the environment and time of day. Wandering outdoors in cold weather, near traffic, or at night carries serious risk. Canadian winters make outdoor wandering particularly urgent — the window for a safe return narrows quickly in low temperatures.
Should I tell the neighbours if my loved one wanders?
Yes - and it's one of the most practical steps families often overlook. Letting immediate neighbours know, with a photo and contact number, means more eyes available if your loved one does get outside. Some communities also have programs through local police services for registering vulnerable individuals.