Wandering Behavior in Korean Elders with Dementia Residing in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated various factors relatied to wandering behavior of Korean elders with dementia (KED). Methods: A sample of 160 ambulatory residents with dementia from 14 long term care facilities was used to examine demographic, individual, cognitive, physical health, and environmental characteristics by comparing wanderers (N=108) to nonwanders (N=52). Subjects were evaluated by Korean versions of the Mini-mental State Exam (K-MMSE), the Physical and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K-PIADL), and the Revised Algase Wandering Scale Nursing Home version (KRAWS-NH) along its six dimensions. Demographic and environmental data were also obtained. Independent sample ttests, Chi-square test, Fisher's Exact tests, and ANCOVAs were used to examine differences between wanderers and nonwanders. Results: Wanderers were significantly (p<.05) older and had more limitations in K-PADL and K-IADL. The degree of overall wandering and certain features of wandering were significantly different (p<.05) by total number of residents in the facility, type of bedroom (i.e., ''Ondol''), and color of bedroom and living-room walls (i.e., sky blue). Conclusions: Findings of this study may be useful in understanding wandering behavior of KEDs and thus developing more culturally specific management strategies.

A Relationship between Depression and Wandering in Community-Dwelling Elders with Dementia

“…The present study estimated the rate of wandering as 30% in community-dwelling elders with dementia. Previous researches demonstrated 18.7% of drug-naïve community-dwelling Alzheimer's disease patients are wanderer,11 and 67.5% of nursing-home residing dementia patients are wanderer 14. These results are constant with a study that wandering behavior leads familial caregivers decide to place the patient in a nursing home or some other professional care facility 42…”

“…Previous studies estimated the rates of wandering as 17.4% in community dwelling patients with dementia, 10 18.7% in drug-naïve Alzheimer disease patients, 11 21% to 67.5% in nursing home residents. 12 13 14 Longitudinal studies indicate that wandering behavior starts on the average 10 months after diagnosis of dementia in 40% of individuals, 15 but eventually occurs in 80% of all patients with dementia. 16 In a large, multiethnic sample of community-dwelling patients, wandering was the most prevalent dementia-related behavior regardless of the ethnicity.…”

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomization controlled and nonrandomized controlled studies on nurse‐led nonpharmacological interventions to improve cognition in people with dementia

“…Multidisciplinary teams consisting of nurses, doctors, social workers, physiotherapists and psychologists have conducted various studies on the provision of cognitive interventions for people with dementia (Burgener et al, 2008; Hong & Kang, 2009; i Ferrer & Del Valle, 2014; Kang et al, 2010; Luttenberger et al, 2012; Tadaka & Kanagawa, 2007). Kang et al (2010) and Tadaka and Kanagawa (2007) presented clearly reported the roles, clinical experience and dementia‐related education of research assistants as intervention providers.…”

Relationship between familiar environment and wandering behaviour among Korean elders with dementia

“…However, 85% of caregivers have indicated that wandering was one of the most significant factors influencing their experiences of burden (Kwon 1995, Kim & Jun 1996). A recent study has also reported that 67·5% of institutionalised PWDs displayed wandering behaviour (Song et al. 2008).…”