Elderly gentleman with dementia, aged 65, located safe and sound after disappearance
In a heartwarming development, a 65-year-old man who had been missing since April 7, 2025, in Berlin, has been found safe. The individual was reported missing on April 18, 2025, after he failed to return from a shopping trip at a nearby supermarket.
The man, who had been suffering from dementia symptoms, was last seen on April 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM, when he left an acquaintance's apartment in Gesundbrunnen. His disappearance was not related to the previous missing person case in Hamburg.
Wandering and getting lost are common behaviours among people with dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Studies indicate that a large proportion—estimates vary but can exceed 40%—of individuals with dementia exhibit wandering behaviour at some point during the illness.
To prevent or reduce the risk of wandering and getting lost, several measures can be employed. Increasing supervision and modifying the living environment to be safe and easy to navigate can reduce wandering risks. This includes securing doors and windows, using alarms or sensors, and creating safe indoor walking paths.
Using ID bracelets or GPS tracking devices helps quickly locate a person if they do wander and become lost. Encouraging a structured daily routine and providing safe activities may reduce restlessness and wandering urges. Caregivers should be trained to recognise wandering behaviours and implement safety strategies. In nursing homes, Alzheimer’s special care units (ASCUs) are designed to safely manage behavioural symptoms such as wandering through environmental design and specialized staffing.
The research highlights disparities in the availability of ASCUs and culturally tailored interventions, indicating that prevention approaches should consider cultural and community factors as well.
The missing individual was found safe on June 7, 2025, in Hamburg. He is now in the care of his family. The Berlin Police are still investigating his disappearance.
[1] Article on wandering in dementia prevention [3] Article on cultural considerations in dementia care
Science has shown that a significant proportion of individuals with dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, exhibit wandering behavior. To enhance mental-health and health-and-wellness outcomes for these individuals, preventive measures like employing increased supervision, modifying living environments for safety and ease of navigation, and using ID bracelets or GPS tracking devices can be beneficial.
