Paradox: Older people with dementia are more likely to survive if lost

Finding your way in an unfamiliar place and getting to your destination safely requires cognitive skills.

and physical skills. Often, older people lack these resources and become lost. In the event of loss, it appears that those with dementia are more likely to have a good outcome.

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Scientists studied reports of incidents with elderly people who got lost in the United States. A total of 1703 cases were considered. Of these, in 208 cases (12%) the lost were found dead.

Death was more likely in situationsassociated with water activities (such as boating and fishing), cold weather (drizzle, rain, snow) and among men. Interestingly, people with dementia were more likely to be found alive than healthy.

Scientists have suggested that the matter may be in ourapproach to care and rescue methods applied to older people with dementia. Carers can use technological devices to track them, and search and rescue teams receive earlier notifications when they are missing.