[Wandering behavior in Korean elders with dementia residing in nursing homes].
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated various factors related 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 t-tests, 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.
Song
Jun-Ah
JA
College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Lim
Young Mi
YM
Hong
Gwi-Ryung Son
GR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D055816:Wandering Behavior