The death of an 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease who was struck and killed by a vehicle in Deltona last week highlights the critical problem of homelessness.

The woman was walking in the traffic lanes in the 1400 block of Deltona Boulevard around 7:10 p.m. on October 23. About 10 minutes later, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting him missing.

Jennifer Braisted, director of government affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association of Florida, says six out of 10 people living with the disease will move away at some point.

Maybe they’re nervous in a social situation. Perhaps they think they have to go to work or, not knowing where they are, think they have to go home.

Braisted said unfortunately, wandering poses a risk to anyone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

“So it’s very important, you know, to really understand,” she said, “who is at risk, who is at higher risk, what are the signs that your loved one with dementia is at risk of wandering , how you can reduce that risk, and then what to do, you know, if a situation arises.”

The Alzheimer’s Association has answers to these questions at alz.org/wandering. And there are also logs at local sheriff’s offices and handheld tracking devices that can be helpful. Some ministries have programs providing tracking devices.

Available technology includes GPS devices, network-assisted GPS, radio frequency identification (or RFID), and online applications, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Everyone has its advantages and limitations.

THE The National Institute on Aging cites a 2011 study of news reports revealing that a significant percentage of missing people with dementia who were wandering were found dead the next day.

Dangers “include injury, dehydration, exposure to severe weather, medical complications, drowning or being hit by a car,” the NIA reported.

The agency offers these tips to help keep a stray person safe:

• Make sure the person has some sort of ID or wears a medical bracelet with their name, address and your phone number.
• If you think the person might remove their ID bracelet, label their clothing with a name and phone number.
• Many GPS systems are available to track the person’s location. These can be a good alternative or complement to a medical bracelet.
• Let neighbors and local police know that the person with Alzheimer’s disease has a tendency to wander.
• Keep a recent photo or video of the person to help police if the person becomes lost.

The NIA also recommends these safety measures for homes where someone with Alzheimer’s disease lives:

• Keep doors locked. Consider a keyed deadbolt or add another lock placed high or low on the door. If the person can open a lock, you may need to get a new latch or lock. Keep the key nearby in case of emergency.
• Place STOP, DO NOT ENTER or CLOSED signs on doors.
• Install a doorbell or smart alarm that sounds when a door is opened.
• Secure the yard with a fence and locked gate.
• Install security devices to limit the opening of windows.
• Keep shoes, keys, suitcases, coats, hats and other signs of departure out of sight.
• Do not leave a person with Alzheimer’s disease who has a history of wandering unsupervised.

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