Recently, I had the opportunity to make use of the findings from a study I conducted and summarized in an AJN article, "People with Dementia Who Become Lost in the Community" (July 2003).

A man had been reported lost in Florida, last seen riding a bicycle near his home. Officials looking in a 40-mile area, using dogs and aerial searches with infrared detectors, had been unable to find him for five days. When I heard about this, I contacted the law enforcement agent in charge, who was receptive to my recommendation that they conduct an intensive search of the unpopulated areas near where the man had last been seen. The next day, using an aerial photograph of the one-mile radius of the man's last known location, the officials divided the region into segments and assigned one officer and 10 civilian volunteers to search every square foot within their segments.

Shortly after the search began, the bicycle was found. Sixty-three minutes after the search began, the missing man was found lying in a muddy depression, covered by leaves. Aerial searchers would not have seen him, nor would dogs have picked up his scent. He was alive but had serious complications caused by exposure after lying in the same position in the woods for eight days.

This case exemplifies the behavior of people with dementia who become lost: soon after becoming lost, some seclude themselves in wooded areas; they hide themselves further, often under leaves; they remain there until found; and they do not respond to searchers. Intensive planned searches are required to find the person. I encourage all nurses to take an active role in sharing my research findings with law enforcement agencies.

Meredeth A. Rowe, PhD, RN