Safe walking in dementia involves both safety and personal needs
A review of personal experiences highlights the emotional impact of going missing and the importance of walking, while leaving prevention benefits unquantified.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This review explored how people with dementia, carers and professionals experience outdoor walking and missing incidents. Walking emerged as a fundamental need, alongside the emotional impact of going missing. The findings bring those experiences into discussions of support, but the abstract does not measure whether any particular care plan or device prevents missing episodes.
The abstract lists broad themes without detailed participant accounts or estimates of missing incidents prevented. Its qualitative synthesis cannot establish how effective a specific strategy or tracking device is.
What the review explored
Researchers brought together qualitative research about lived experiences and preferences. The review covered support before someone goes missing as well as responses afterward, considering the perspectives of people living in the community and residential care.
Where technology fits
Technology appeared as a theme about people's experiences of preventing and managing missing incidents. The abstract gives no device-specific results, so it offers no basis for choosing one product or assuming reliable protection.
The original publication
Supporting safe walking and managing missing incidents in dementia: a qualitative narrative synthesis of current evidence.
Kwok HT, Dhawan A, Lye V et al.
Age Ageing · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41482955
- Record checked
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