What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Aging Adult Has Wandered Away?

It’s terrifying to realize that your aging adult has wandered off when you thought she was safe at home. Here are some things you can do right away to get the search going.

Home Care Lexington NC – What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Aging Adult Has Wandered Away?

Start Looking for Her Right Away

As soon as you notice that your aging adult is missing, start looking for her. Start in the house and quickly venture outside once it’s obvious she’s not there. Don’t wait to call the police, however. Call 911 if you search for a few minutes and can’t find signs of her. This is particularly important if your elderly family member has any serious health conditions. The police can issue an alert for a vulnerable adult quickly, which can help you get more eyes on the hunt.

Show Recent Pictures to People You Encounter

Keep recent photos on your phone and make sure that you bring it with you on your search. Show recent pictures to anyone that you encounter as you search. They may be able to quickly point you in the right direction with a picture, whereas a description can seem vague. You might want to get in the habit of taking a picture of your senior every morning, especially if she has a tendency to wander. Then you’ve got a picture of exactly what she was wearing when she went missing. If this is something you forget to do, ask home care providers if they can do this for you so that you’ve got a record.

Call Friends and Neighbors

Call neighbors and friends who live nearby. It’s possible that they’ve seen your aging adult or she may even be with one of them. If she’s not with one of them, at least they know that they should be on the lookout for her if they should see her after you’ve alerted them.

Look in Places Your Senior Might Go

If there are places that your aging family member has a tendency to go to, make sure that you check those locations. This could be a park in the neighborhood or even a neighbor’s back garden. Check all of the areas you can think of, but share some of those spots with others so you can cover more ground.

If this is the first time your senior has wandered away, make note of what works and what doesn’t. When the excitement is over and your senior is safe, make a plan for what to do next time.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Lexington NC, please contact the caring staff at TenderHearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.