Getting lost in dementia: a longitudinal study of a behavioral symptom.
The occurrence of episodes of getting lost was examined in 104 subjects with dementia who were assessed every 4 months over 5 years. All subjects were initially living at home with a caregiver who could give good information. Forty-three subjects needed to be brought back home at least once. Five subjects repeatedly got lost. Forty-six subjects were kept behind locked doors at some point. Subjects who got lost were more likely to become permanently resident in institutions (odds ratio = 7.3; 95% confidence interval: 3.0 to 17.8). Patients who performed better on a behavioral test of topographical memory were less likely to get lost over the subsequent 5 years (negative predictive value: 90%). The risk of patients with dementia getting lost is substantial and requires frequent intervention by caregivers. This risk is a major reason for institutionalization. A simple test may help in assessing the risk of getting lost in patients with dementia.
Section of Old Age Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. rupert.mcshane@psych.ox.ac.uk
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McShane
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Gedling
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J
Keene
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Fairburn
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Jacoby
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T
Hope
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires