Wandering and the physical environment.
BACKGROUND
Guided by the need-driven dementia-compromised behavior (NDB) model, this study examined influences of the physical environment on wandering behavior.


METHODS
Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, 122 wanderers from 28 long-term care (LTC) facilities were videotaped 10 to 12 times; data on wandering, light, sound, temperature and humidity levels, location, ambiance, and crowding were obtained. Associations between environmental variables and wandering were evaluated with chi-square and t tests; the model was evaluated using logistic regression.


RESULTS
In all, 80% of wandering occurred in the resident's own room, dayrooms, hallways, or dining rooms. When observed in other residents' rooms, hallways, shower/baths, or off-unit locations, wanderers were likely (60%-92% of observations) to wander. The data were a good fit to the model overall (LR [logistic regression] chi(2) (5) = 50.38, P < .0001) and by wandering type.


CONCLUSIONS
Location, light, sound, proximity of others, and ambiance are associated with wandering and may serve to inform environmental designs and care practices.
Algase
Donna L
DL
University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, 48109, USA. dalgase@umich.edu
Beattie
Elizabeth R A
ER
Antonakos
Cathy
C
Beel-Bates
Cynthia A
CA
Yao
Lan
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010414:Pennsylvania; D055816:Wandering Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data