Older people and dementia
Older people, particularly those with dementia, are a group at risk of going missing. The more common symptons associated with dementia are memory loss and wandering.
What is dementia?
Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses, which cause a progressive decline in a person’s mental functioning. It is a broad term, which describes a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions.
Dementia usually has an insidious onset, with most people developing symptoms gradually over a period of years. How and what symptoms develop depend on what parts of the brain are affected by which illness, and the unique characteristics of each individual.
People with dementia may experience confusion, distress, mood changes and aggression as they struggle with the frustrations of everyday life.
There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, contact Alzheimer's Australia.
What are the early signs of dementia?
The early signs of dementia are very subtle and vague and may not be immediately obvious. Some common symptoms are:
• Progressive and frequent memory loss
• Confusion
• Personality change
• Apathy and withdrawal
• Loss of ability to perform everyday tasks.
Memory loss
One of the more common symptoms of dementia is memory loss. It is persistent and progressive, not just occasional. It may affect the ability to continue to work, and to carry out familiar tasks. It may mean having difficulty finding the way home (by foot or in the car) and therefore, becoming at risk of becoming a missing person.
Wandering
Wandering is also common among people with dementia. The person’s failing memory and declining ability to communicate may make it impossible for them to remember or explain the reason they wandered or how to get home. Precautions can be taken to try and prevent a person with dementia from going missing.
View fact sheets related to missing persons, dementia and wandering.
Find out more about dementia and safer walking.