How to Choose the Best Wandering Alarm for Dementia Patients [Updated for 2022]

It's common for a person living with dementia to wander or be confused about their location. As scary as that is for a caregiver who can’t find a patient, it’s even more frightening for the patient, who might truly not have any idea where they are as things slowly become less and less familiar to them. Some common reasons patients wander, and can benefit from anti-wandering alarms, are confusion about where they are, delusions about what responsibility they have in their lives, escape from a real or imagined threat, and agitation, boredom, or restlessness. Whatever sets the patient off on an escape route, Alzheimer’s and dementia wander safety products can help keep the patient where they need to be to remain safe and comfortable.

What is a patient safety alarm? 

Patient safety alarms come in many forms. All are designed to alert a caregiver when a dementia patient moves unsupervised, which can lead to the patient getting into an unsafe situation via a fall or wandering or both.

Who needs a patient safety alarm? 

If there is any risk of someone wandering away from safety, or into spaces that could pose a threat of injury because of a fall or some other safety issue, a patient safety alarm will mitigate the risk and minimize the probability of an injury or worse.

What are the types of patient safety alarms? 

Some alarms are attached to a piece of equipment or furniture, and some are attached to the patient. The best patient safety alarm for your situation will transmit the appropriate signal for a caregiver to intervene or remind the patient to stay put. It will also be something the patient cannot disable.

Bed Alarm

Smart Caregiver Bed Alarm - CordLess® Alert SystemsSmart Caregiver Bed Alarm - CordLess® Alert Systems

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A bed alarm - some of which go under the mattress and some of which go over the mattress - is sometimes appropriate for use with chairs too. This anti-wandering alarm allows a caregiver to monitor the activity and position of a patient. With sensors that detect a reduction of pressure when patients get up, bed alarms will go off when someone is no longer sitting or laying on the bed. 

Pros

  • Protects patients prone to bed falls
  • Alerts caregivers as soon as someone gets out of bed
  • Simple to set up and use

Cons

  • This style of alarm can go off if someone simply changes position, sending a false warning if someone rolls off the alarm sensor but not the bed
Best: Smart Caregiver Bed Alarm - CordLess® Alert Systems

Toilet Alarm

Skil-Care Gel-Foam Toilet Seat Cushion Alarm SystemSkil-Care Gel-Foam Toilet Seat Cushion Alarm System

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Posey Toilet Seat SensorPosey Toilet Seat Sensor

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Toilet alarms reduce the risk of injuries due to an unassisted exit from the toilet. Pressure activated, as soon as someone rises from the toilet, the alarm will sound. 

Pros

  • Let caregivers know when assistance is needed
  • Does not require any work or effort on the part of the patient
  • Reduces risk of bathroom falls

Cons

  • Alarm might not work properly if the sensor has lime and calcium scales
  • Some people don’t sit on the seat when toileting so the sensor is not activated
Best: Skil-Care Gel-Foam Toilet Seat Cushion Alarm System
Best: Posey Toilet Seat Sensor

Wheelchair/Chair Alarm

Smart Caregiver Wireless Patient Chair Alarm with PagerSmart Caregiver Wireless Patient Chair Alarm with Pager

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Skil-Care UnderSeat Alarm SystemSkil-Care UnderSeat Alarm System

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A wheelchair alarm has a sensor that is pressure activated. When there is a reduction in pressure on the sensor from someone leaving the wheelchair’s seat, the alarm sounds. This alarm will alert to someone falling out of or getting up from the wheelchair. One design has the chair sensor or pad on top of the seat, while another kind (better for incontinent users) has the sensor placed under the seat. 

Pros

  • Informs caregivers when a patient rises from a wheelchair, potentially wandering into a dangerous situation
  • Reminds patients who are confused to stay seated for safety
  • Difficult for users to disable the alarm

Cons

  • People who self-propel often shift positions in their wheelchairs, potentially setting off a false alarm
Best Wireless Alarm: Smart Caregiver Wireless Patient Chair Alarm with Pager
Best Under Seat Alarm: Skil-Care UnderSeat Alarm System

Fall Detection Device

Personal Medical Alert System with Fall Detection- TEQ Secure by CARETEQPersonal Medical Alert System with Fall Detection- TEQ Secure by CARETEQ

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Not all falls can be prevented. When they happen, assistance arriving sooner rather than later can make a big difference in outcomes. A fall detection device acts as a personal alert safety system, determining when a fall has occurred, and connecting the user with help. A patient can summon help with the push of a button on a pendant, while this helpful device can make the call for assistance on the user’s behalf if they are unable to do so. For anyone at risk of a fall, this equipment provides peace of mind while helping maintain independence, knowing help will be on the way if it’s needed.

Pros

  • Allows a user to be alone while still being able to summon help if necessary
  • Lightweight pendant that is inconspicuous to wear and easy to use
  • Acts on the user’s behalf if the patient is injured and unable to utilize the call button

Cons

  • Must be worn all the time, and dementia patients might forget to keep it within reach
Best: Personal Alert Safety System - TEQ Secure for Fall Detection by SOFIHUB

Door Alarm

Smart Caregiver Door Alarm Exit Alert SystemSmart Caregiver Door Alarm Exit Alert System

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Stop Strip Door Alarm SystemStop Strip Door Alarm System

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A wandering alarm for dementia patients on a door significantly reduces the risk of a patient leaving a building and becoming endangered when disoriented or lost. With one part of a magnetic door alarm attached to the door frame and the other attached to the door. When the connection between the two parts is broken, an alarm will sound indicating the door has been opened. Alarms can also be attached to cupboard or closet doors to deter access to areas that are off limits because of safety concerns.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Need no electricity
  • Can be used on almost any door or window without any special specifications

Cons

  • Can be very loud and scary for patients
Best: Smart Caregiver Door Alarm Exit Alert System
Best: Stop Strip Magnetic Door Alarm System

Window Alarm

Skil-Care Door and Window Alarm with Magnetic StripSkil-Care Door and Window Alarm with Magnetic Strip

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The best window alarms have the versatility to allow the window to open a bit for ventilation and fresh air without setting off the alarm. These work with sensors that are attached via a short wire. The window can be opened or closed, as long as the distance the window raises and lowers is less than the length of the wire. 

Pros

  • Allows for opening the window enough for ventilation 
  • Easy to install
  • No electricity needed

Cons

  • Batteries run out and have to be monitored and changed regularly
Best: Skil-Care Door and Window Alarm with Magnetic Strip Skil-Care Door and Window Alarm with Magnetic Strip

Wheelchair Alarm Belt

Skil-Care Seat Belt Alarm SystemSkil-Care Seat Belt Alarm System

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A wheelchair alarm belt resembles a car seatbelt, and alerts a caregiver when a patient is about to leave the wheelchair. It goes off when the belt is unfastened, providing some advance warning before the patient actually gets out of the chair. It can be the difference between preventing a fall and arriving after it’s just happened.

Pros

  • Secures to all standard wheelchairs
  • Eliminates sensor strips and clothing clips
  • Nylon belt has an easy-release buckle for restraint-free care

Cons

  • Can feel restrictive and reduce patient independence
Best: Skil-Care Seat Belt Alarm System

Pressure Sensitive Floor Mat Alarm

Smart Caregiver Floor Alarm Mat with PagerSmart Caregiver Floor Alarm Mat with Pager

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An alarmed floor mat next to a chair or bed will alert a caregiver when a patient gets up from a chair or gets out of bed unexpectedly and steps onto the mat. The weight on the mat triggers the pressure sensors to set off the alarm so a caregiver knows to come help a patient attempting to move unassisted.

Pros

  • Non-restrictive device to help keep patients from wandering away from safety
  • Can be used next to the bed or a chair
  • Large size available to cover large bedside area of the floor

Cons

  • Might not be activated by patients who don’t weigh very much
Best: Smart Caregiver Floor Alarm Mat with Pager

Patient-Worn Alarm

Advantage Magnetic Safety Alarm by MedlineAdvantage Magnetic Safety Alarm by Medline

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Drive Medical Tamper-Proof Magnetic Pull Cord AlarmDrive Medical Tamper-Proof Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm

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Wearable patient alarms come in a variety of styles with one part of the alarm attached to a bed, chair, or wheelchair and the other part attached to the patient. If the patient goes on the move, the pull switch engages the alarm to signal a caregiver that the patient has moved away from the alarmed chair, bed, or wheelchair. These alarms might be a clip to the patient’s clothing, they could be magnet, or they could have a pull string.

Pros

  • Can be used at home or while out and about
  • Simple design
  • Easy for a caregiver to switch off after activation

Cons

  • Can sometimes be removed by patients without triggering the alarm
Best Magnetic Alarm: Advantage Magnetic Safety Alarm by Medline
Best Pull Cord Alarm: Drive Medical Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm

Lap Cushion Alarm

Skil-Care Lift-Off Lap Cushion Alarm SystemSkil-Care Lift-Off Lap Cushion Alarm System

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Providing a useful lap cushion for a patient seated in a wheelchair, this alarm will sound if the patient tries to make an unplanned exit from the chair. This non-restrictive patient safety alarm system is ideal for use where restraint reduction is the goal. It is secured by hook-and-loop fasteners. When they are unfastened, the alarm sounds. No sensor or sensor strips are required.

Pros

  • Lap pad is a comfortable positioning aid
  • Does not require sensors
  • Lap cushion pad is easy to wipe clean

Cons

  • Bulky and can make some patients feel too hot
Best: Skil-Care Lift-Off Lap Cushion Alarm System

Features to Consider

Factors to consider when choosing an alarm to address wandering in patients with dementia include physical and mental condition of the patient, who they share their living space with, the sound level needed to alert a caretaker while not disturbing others or scaring a patient, and how adept the patient is at disabling or getting around an alarm device. Whether in a home care or clinical setting, dementia patients and their caregivers can benefit from the extra level of protection provided by these devices.

Patient Risk Level

If a patient with dementia is at risk of wandering or falling, an alarm can alert a caregiver when action is needed. An alarm that sounds when a person opens a door or window can help prevent them from leaving a safe area and exposing themselves to danger. An alarm notifying a caregiver that a patient has gotten up from a toilet or a wheelchair or sat up in bed can summon assistance to mitigate the risk of a fall.

Environment

The care setting can impact which alarm is most appropriate. Some alarms sound at nursing stations so the noise doesn’t disturb other patients who are trying to sleep. 

Alert Sound

Many alarm tones can be loud and jarring, which can be very upsetting for dementia patients who can startle easily. There are alarms that allow for recording soothing voice prompts that direct the patient back to bed.

Patient-Worn or Mounted

Some anti-wandering alarms have one end attached to a bed or chair and the other end clipped to a patient’s clothing. They are activated when their movement disconnects the two elements. Others are mounted on door frames or windows or are placed on seats or on the ground. Whether they go with the patient or are in a fixed location, most are easy to install.

Cognitive Ability

Even if their memory is fading and they are sometimes confused, dementia patients often have the cognitive ability to figure out how to outsmart an alarm. If a patient has figured out how to unclip an alarm from their clothing and leave it behind or step over a floor pad sensor, alarms that are out of reach or that they can’t disable are the best option.

Urinary Incontinence

If a user struggles with incontinence, alarms that don’t have a pressure sensor they sit on or something that goes across their lap will work the best and be the most comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are bed alarms effective?

A: Yes, and they are a big help to home caregivers because you do not have to sit by the patient's bed or stand outside their bedroom on high alert. It frees up caregivers to take care of other tasks while the patient is asleep, alerting if assistance is needed because the patient exited the bed.

Q: Do bed alarms prevent falls?

A: Bed alarm systems can reduce falls by alerting personnel when at-risk patients attempt to leave a bed without assistance. They can also get the attention of the patient to stop them from trying to get out of bed unassisted or remind them they need to be extra careful when getting out of bed.

Q: What is a Posey alarm?

A: Posey Alarms provide notification when a fall-risk patient attempts to rise without caregiver assistance. They have prerecorded messages so patients might hear family members speaking to them advising them not to get out of bed, or they can translate a soothing message in the patient’s native language.

Q: How does a bed exit alarm work?

A: Bed exit alarms warn caregivers, and in some cases patients themselves, when a patient leaves or attempts to leave the bed. They can be patient-worn or they can be pressure sensitive pads that go off when a patient moves. They warn the caregiver that the patient has changed position and is about to leave the bed, alert the caregiver that the patient has already left the bed, and remind the patient they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing.

Q: Do chair alarms work for the elderly?

A: Yes. If wandering is an issue, a chair alarm will notify a caregiver a patient is on the move. If falling is a consideration, chair alarms work best if a caregiver is close by, even if their attention is on something else. This type of alarm will give someone close enough to the patient time to be at their side to prevent a possible fall should they choose to get up from a chair.

Q:What is a wheelchair alarm?

A: A wheelchair alarm helps to monitor the activity of someone seated in a wheelchair. Typically, these alarms are either magnetic (safety belt or clothing clip alarms) or they combine with a sensor or pad (seat alarm) that detects a reduction in pressure and alerts when a patient tries to leave the chair.

Q: How do fall detection devices work?

A: Fall detection devices use accelerometers, a type of radio wave technology sensor, to monitor movement. The fall alert detectors can measure when the user has suddenly fallen by detecting the abrupt changes of body movements. The technology can evaluate an individual’s body position, physical activity, and the smoothness of acceleration of movements. If it’s determined these variables are within the danger zone, a fall alert will be sounded.

Final Thoughts

Six in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once, and many do it repeatedly, as they lose their ability to recognize familiar places and people. Wandering can be extremely dangerous, so the risk cannot be ignored. Patient Safety Alarms are a valuable tool to ensure dementia patients remain in a comfortable and safe environment.

If leaving a building is the greatest concern, a door frame model will suit your situation well. If getting up unassisted from a bed or a toilet presents an additional fall risk, a pressure sensitive alarm is a good choice. If a patient is transferred multiple times a day, an alarm that clips to their clothing and attaches to the seat or bed they’re in means they can take this safety precaution with them no matter where they are. Whether being cared for at home or in a hospital or care home setting, there is an alarm that can help keep them safe.

Thank you for reading about choosing the best Alzheimer's and dementia wander safety products. Visit Caregiver University for more helpful articles with information on providing the best care for aging loved ones and patients. 

Author:

Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.

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