What You Need to Know About Who Gets Lost and What to Do to Find Them

Understanding the Problem

All persons with dementia - those living at home or in a nursing home, those who are young and those who are old, those early in the disease and those who are at the end stages are susceptible to becoming lost. Some persons with dementia become lost when they are wandering, but there are many other reasons someone might become lost. Persons who are found alive have generally continued to walk in the community and are found in populated areas such as yards, streets, sidewalks, businesses and open buildings. Persons who are found dead are almost always found in natural areas, such as fields, woods, bodies of water, ditches, etc. Searches for lost persons need to begin immediately and chances for a succdessful search are greatly enhanced by being prepared beforehand.

Case Study: Research Findings Lead to Successful Search

Recently a man missing in Jacksonville, FL was found after searchers redesigned their search strategy for an intensive search within one-mile of the home:

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