Wandering behavior in korean elders with dementia residing in nursing homes

Jun Ah Song, Young Mi Lim, Gwi Ryung Son Hong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-38
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Korean Academy of Nursing
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • Elders
  • Environment
  • Nursing home
  • Wandering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

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