Wandering Behavior in Korean Elders with Dementia Residing in Nursing Homes.
10.4040/jkan.2008.38.1.29
- Author:
Jun Ah SONG
1
;
Young Mi LIM
;
Gwi Ryung Son HONG
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Wandering;
Elders;
Dementia;
Nursing home;
Environment
- MeSH:
Activities of Daily Living;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Dementia/*psychology;
Demography;
Female;
Homes for the Aged;
Humans;
Korea;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Nursing Homes;
*Wandering Behavior
- From:
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
2008;38(1):29-38
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: 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.
