NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — Wandering is very common and potentially dangerous for those living with dementia.

It’s even more of a concern in the summer due to the higher temperatures and prolonged sun exposure that can cause heat stroke and dehydration.

To help caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has some tips to reduce the chance of wandering and help prepare to respond quickly.

“Hot summer months create additional safety risks if someone with dementia wanders from home, which is why their family caregivers need to be proactive,” said AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services, Jennifer Reeder. “Creating a setting where someone with dementia can maintain the benefits of walking by being active and stimulated in a safe environment, while also meeting basic needs, and having an emergency plan in place, are the best ways to protect the person’s well-being and quality of life.”

One thing caregivers can do is examine the motivations for wandering as there can be many reasons behind it such as feeling purposeful, excited, or just for pleasure. This is even more true if the person had a very active lifestyle before the illness. What you can do is create a walking path around the house with visual cues and engaging objects, involve them in simple tasks, and offer enjoyable activities. Also make sure that basic needs are being met, since wandering can be an expression of an unmet need.

Another thing is to safeguard the house by removing clutter and eliminating tripping hazards. Remember that car keys, jackets, and purses could trigger them to leave. Install electronic chimes or doorbells to alert someone if they are trying to leave — a smart doorbell with an app can notify you when someone comes in and leaves.

A third thing is to be aware of their patterns — know what times could be more active than others and offer stimulating activities. You should encourage healthy sleeping habits to reduce the chance of them leaving overnight. If you have a loved one who does wonder, write down their patterns to help you in the future.

Another thing is to develop a safety plan . This means writing down all the places they may go, having a recent close-up photo of them, and having medical information ready to give to first responders if needed. See if your community has a safety program for families affected by dementia which lets you enroll your loved one to get locating technology that first responders can activate if they go missing.

The final thing to do is to lessen risks by taking precautions . Caregivers should make sure the person is getting enough water, is dressed in light clothing, is protected from the sun, and is always supervised when outside. You can use a tracking device or an alarm to locate them if they do wander.

Licensed social workers are always at the AFA Helpline who can give more information about wandering prevention tips. It’s available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), by text message (646-586-5283), and web chat .

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