The interrelatedness of wandering and wayfinding in a community sample of persons with dementia

Donna L. Algase, Gwi Ryung Son, Elizabeth Beattie, Jun Ah Song, Sara Leitsch, Lan Yao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of wandering and wayfinding and validate the Revised Algase Wandering Scale - Community Version (RAWS-CV) using a community sample of persons with dementia. Adult caregivers (n = 266) completed the RAWS-CV and the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (WES). Four aspects of wandering were confirmed (persistent walking, repetitive walking, spatial disorientation, eloping behavior), and two new aspects were also validated (negative outcomes, mealtime impulsivity). The spatial disorientation subscale of the RAWS-CV had significant (p < 0.01) negative correlations with all WES subscales. The global strategies and simple wayfinding goals subscales of the WES correlated significantly with all RAWS-CV subscales except repetitive walking and mealtime impulsivity. ANOVAs comparing wayfinding at 4 levels of wandering revealed differences only for the simple wayfinding goals subscale. Studies examining the relationship of wandering and wayfinding at various levels of cognitive impairment are suggested to further understand these phenomena.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-239
Number of pages9
JournalDementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Revised Algase Wandering Scale - Community Version
  • Wandering
  • Wayfinding
  • Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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