WanderWise Wandering Risk Assessment

Wandering Risk Assessment

This assessment helps caregivers recognize signs of potential wandering and offers guidance on supportive safety and tech options.

Note: This is not a diagnostic tool or a substitute for medical advice. It’s intended to help caregivers better understand potential risks and explore supportive safety solutions.

Instructions

Rate each factor based on your observations.

💡 At the end of this assessment, you’ll receive tech suggestions based on your responses, plus a link to our full Wandering Tech Guide.

Part 1: Individual Factors

1. Cognitive Status - Does the person have memory problems or issues with thinking?

Person has been diagnosed with dementia

Person shows signs of memory loss or confusion but no formal diagnosis

No significant cognitive impairment

2. History of Wandering - Have They Wandered Before?

Has wandered multiple times in the past 6 months

Has wandered once in the past 6 months

Has shown attempts to wander but was redirected

No history of wandering

3. Do they talk about going to a previous home or familiar place?

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely or Never

4. Are they taking any medications that may cause confusion or agitation?

Yes

5. Mobility Level - How Well Can They Move On Their Own?

Independently mobile without assistance

Mobile with some assistance

Requires significant assistance to move

6. Restlessness/Agitation - How often are they restless or upset?

Frequently restless or agitated

Occasionally restless or agitated

Rarely restless or agitated

7. Sleep Disturbances - Do they wake up and move around at night?

Frequently wakes and moves around at night

Occasionally wakes at night

Generally sleeps through the night

8. Disorientation to Time/Place - Do They Get Confused About Time or Place?

Frequently disoriented to time and place

Sometimes, especially in unfamiliar environments

Generally oriented to familiar surroundings

9. Expression of Needs - Can They Tell You What They Need?

Unable to express needs verbally

Limited ability to express needs

Able to clearly express needs

Part 2: Environmental Factors

10. Home Safety Features - Does the Home Have Safety Features to Prevent Wandering?

No special safety features for wandering prevention

Some safety features (e.g., door alarms, locks)

Comprehensive safety features installed

11. Living Situation - Who Do They Live With?

Lives alone

Lives with others but often alone for periods of time

Lives with others with regular supervision

24-hour supervision available

12. Familiarity with Environment - Are They Often in New or Unfamiliar Places?

Recently moved or frequently in unfamiliar environments

Occasionally in unfamiliar settings

Almost always in familiar environments

13. Access to Exits - How Easy Is It for Them to Get to Doors or Exits?

Exits are easily accessible and visible

Exits are accessible but not immediately visible

Exits are restricted or hidden (e.g., with visual cues or locks)

Part 3: Behavioral Patterns

14. Purposeful Walking - Do they walk like they intend to leave?

Frequently walks with apparent purpose toward exits

Sometimes walks purposefully toward exits

Rarely shows purposeful walking toward exits

15. Searching/Looking Behavior - Do they appear to look for something or someone?

Frequently searches for something or someone

Occasionally searches for something or someone

Rarely shows searching behavior

16. Exit-Seeking Behavior - Do They Try to Leave or Talk About "Going Home"?

Frequently tries doors/windows or talks about "going home"

Occasionally tries doors/windows or talks about "going home"

Rarely or never shows exit-seeking behavior

17. Response to Redirection - What happens when you stop them from leaving?

Difficult to redirect, becomes agitated when prevented from leaving

Can be redirected but may require multiple attempts

Easily redirected

Person's Age

First Name

Last Name

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