Screening for wandering among older persons with dementia

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dementia Care
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Wandering is a common and often necessary activity for individuals with dementia.
• Current nursing and therapy practices in the UK require enhancement towards a person-centered and evidence-based approach for managing wandering.
• Understanding risk is crucial, as it represents potential harm that persists until an event occurs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a more person-centred and evidence-based approach in UK nursing and therapy practice regarding dementia wandering.
• To highlight the importance of screening for wandering in dementia patients to identify care needs.
• To promote the recognition of the benefits of safe wandering for individuals with dementia.

Main Methods:

• The study emphasizes a proactive approach to care planning and delivery for dementia patients who wander.
• It suggests utilizing nursing skills for comprehensive assessment of care needs related to wandering.
• The focus is on prescribing interventions that facilitate safe wandering.

Main Results:

• Screening for wandering enables nurses to assess individual care needs effectively.
• Prescribing safe wandering interventions can help practitioners recognize its benefits for the person.
• Proactive care planning can minimize the necessity for crisis interventions when risks become unacceptable.

Conclusions:

• A shift towards person-centered, evidence-based practice is essential for managing dementia wandering in the UK.
• Effective screening and proactive care planning are key to ensuring safe wandering and reducing adverse events.
• Recognizing the benefits of safe wandering, alongside risk assessment, can improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia.