Wandering & Exit-Seeking: Dementia Safety in Santa Monica
Memory care reduces wandering and exit-seeking with controlled entries, secure courtyards, trained staff, quiet alert technology, and a predictable daily routine. This structure lowers triggers, keeps movement inside safe areas, and speeds response. At Welbrook Santa Monica, the Vigil Monitoring System uses unobtrusive sensors with silent paging to alert staff fast and discreetly. See our Innovative Monitoring and Schedule a Tour to watch a demo on site.
What wandering and exit-seeking mean.
Wandering is unplanned movement without a safe destination. Exit-seeking is an attempt to leave a safe area or building. Both can occur at any stage of dementia. Six in ten people living with dementia will wander at least once. Plan for repetition and build safeguards early.
Why promptness matters in a missing event
Time is critical. If a person with dementia is not found within 24 hours, up to half may face serious injury or even death. Call 911 if you cannot locate the person. Tell responders the person has dementia. Keep a recent photo and a one-page medical list ready.
Most recoveries happen near the starting point. Begin your search close to home or the community while another person calls 911.
How secure community design reduces risk
A purpose-built memory care setting reduces confusion and exit attempts through the environment and supervision. During your tour, look for the following features and ask to see them in action.
- Controlled entries and exits. Keypad access requires entering a code, and delayed egress means doors do not open immediately, both of which help prevent unintended exits.
Secure outdoor courtyard. Looped walking paths support movement without street access. - Clear wayfinding. High-contrast signs and layouts that repeat throughout the building help residents find their way and avoid confusion at decision points.
- Even lighting. Consistent and balanced lighting, with minimal shadows, supports better depth perception in halls and shared spaces.
- Frequent rounding. Staff frequently check on residents throughout the day, offering reassurance and redirecting wandering behaviors early as needed.
You can preview Welbrook’s safety approach on the site, then verify each element on your visit. Contact Us to book a tour.
Quiet technology that speeds response
Loud alarms can startle residents and raise agitation. Quiet alerts let staff intervene quickly while the neighborhood stays calm. Welbrook uses the Vigil Monitoring System with passive, unobtrusive sensors and silent paging that routes alerts to staff devices. This setup supports faster response and a more peaceful environment.
What this means for you
- Passive sensors are devices that detect unusual or out-of-routine movement by residents and prompt staff to check and ensure safety without the resident needing to wear any equipment.
- Bed-exit monitoring tracks when a resident leaves their bed during the night, helping staff respond promptly to help keep residents safe overnight.
- Silent paging directs the right team member to the right room without sirens or flashing lights.
Daily structure that reduces exit-seeking
Predictable routines lower anxiety. A steady day reduces the urge to search or “go home,” especially in the late afternoon.
- Morning: orientation, hydration, and gentle movement.
- Midday: purposeful activities tied to personal history.
- Afternoon: snack and hydration, light exercise, calming music.
- Evening: reduced stimulation, warm beverage, simple bedtime routine.
The National Institute on Aging’s guidance supports routine hydration and early redirection for wandering and sundowning. Ask the team to share the late-day schedule and hydration cues used on campus.
Practical steps you can use at home today
These actions align with the guidance of trusted caregivers.
- Keep two recent photos, one printed and one on your phone.
- Label clothing with a mobile number.
- Keep a one-page medical list with diagnoses and medications.
- Offer water every two hours from noon to 8 p.m.
- Lower TV volume and reduce bright lighting after 4 p.m.
- Walk a short loop after dinner on the same route.
- If the person is missing, call 911 and state the dementia diagnosis.
If home safety is declining, schedule a visit and ask to see how a secure memory care neighborhood handles late-day pacing and door testing.
Schedule a Tour and See Safety in Action
You want proof that a community can reduce wandering and exit-seeking. Visit Welbrook Santa Monica and watch the safety plan work in real time. See how secure design, staff rounding, and silent paging come together to support the safety of wandering dementia residents at Welbrook Santa Monica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dementia wandering
Unplanned movement that separates a person from safety. It can occur at any stage and
often repeats. Six in ten people with dementia will wander at least once.
What is exit-seeking
A focused attempt to leave a safe area or building. People may test doors, ask for keys, or request transport. Staff use early redirection and quiet alerts to respond.
How do memory care communities reduce wandering
They combine controlled entries, enclosed courtyards, quiet alert systems, and steady routines. Trained staff monitor for triggers and redirect early.
How fast should I act if my loved one is missing
Search nearby areas right away. If not found, call 911 and tell responders the person has dementia.
Do quiet alerts help more than loud alarms?
Yes. Silent paging reduces agitation and helps staff respond quickly without disrupting others. Welbrook uses Vigil with silent paging.
Does Santa Monica offer tracking support?
Yes. L.A. Found Project Lifesaver provides voluntary trackable bracelets to help responders locate a missing person.
