title: Initial psychometric evaluation of the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale.
abstract: This study evaluates three versions of the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (WES), developed to differentiate problems of wayfinding and wandering behavior of community-residing elders with dementia (EWD), in 266 dyads (EWD and caregiver) recruited from Alzheimer's Association chapters. Factor analyses yield a five-factor solution (explained variance = 62.6%): complex wayfinding goals, analytic strategies, global strategies, simple wayfinding goals, and being stimulus bound. Overall, internal consistencies are high: WES (.94-.95), and subscales are stable across all versions. Test-retest reliability is acceptable for the overall WES and two subscales (complex and simple wayfinding goals) for the care recipient current behavior version. Construct validity is supported by the pattern of correlations among subscales and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showing significant differences among the care recipient (current vs. prior behavior) and caregiver versions overall and for all subscales. Results support the WES as a valid and reliable measure of wayfinding effectiveness in persons with dementia.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. dalgase@umich.edu
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Algase
authors.forename: Gwi-Ryung
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beel-Bates
authors.forename: Junah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.lastname: Lan Yao
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leitsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009949:Orientation; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D016138:Walking