HealthPlexus.net

Wandering: Clues to Effective Management

Disclaimer:  While every attempt is made to ensure that drug dosages provided within the text of this journal and the website are accurate, readers are urged to check drug package inserts before prescribing. Views and opinions in this publication and the website are not necessarily endorsed by or reflective of those of the publisher.

Wandering: Clues to Effective Management

Donna L. Algase, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Wandering is among the most challenging behaviours associated with dementia. While research is progressing toward a fuller understanding of this phenomenon, the basis for deriving effective and tested interventions has not been fully developed. In this paper, wandering is defined from multiple perspectives, and its various outcomes and risks are discussed. Putative causes of wandering are summarized. Finally, an approach to aid clinicians in discovering effective strategies for managing an individual’s wandering is presented.
Key words: wandering, dementia, assessment, intervention, primary care.

Related Terms: Dementia, assessment, dementia, intervention, primary care, wandering