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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2010 Jun;25(4):340–346. doi: 10.1177/1533317510365342

Wandering and the Physical Environment

Donna L Algase 1, Elizabeth R A Beattie 2, Cathy Antonakos 3, Cynthia A Beel-Bates 4, Lan Yao 5
PMCID: PMC10845602  PMID: 20378834

Abstract

Background/Rationale: Guided by the need-driven dementia-compromised behavior (NDB) model, this study examined influences of the physical environment on wandering behavior. Methods: Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, 122 wanderers from 28 long-term care (LTC) facilities were videotaped 10 to 12 times; data on wandering, light, sound, temperature and humidity levels, location, ambiance, and crowding were obtained. Associations between environmental variables and wandering were evaluated with chi-square and t tests; the model was evaluated using logistic regression. Results: In all, 80% of wandering occurred in the resident’s own room, dayrooms, hallways, or dining rooms. When observed in other residents’ rooms, hallways, shower/baths, or off-unit locations, wanderers were likely (60%-92% of observations) to wander. The data were a good fit to the model overall (LR [logistic regression] χ2 (5) = 50.38, P < .0001) and by wandering type. Conclusions: Location, light, sound, proximity of others, and ambiance are associated with wandering and may serve to inform environmental designs and care practices.

Keywords: dementia, model testing, wandering, observational methods, physical environment, NDB model

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Contributor Information

Donna L. Algase, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, dalgase@umich.edu .

Elizabeth R. A. Beattie, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Cathy Antonakos, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Cynthia A. Beel-Bates, Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.

Lan Yao, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

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