Project Researchers Prof. Elizabeth Beattie, Dr. Elaine Fielding, Dr. Margaret MacAndrew
Year: January 1, 2016
Partners Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Program Overview:
In residential aged care (RAC), wandering behaviour is common and is reported by carers to be challenging to manage due to its association with negative outcomes including: malnutrition and dehydration, falls and injuries, entry into hazardous and potential life threatening situations and accidental exit from a safe environment.
There is currently little evidence guiding best practice for the care of people with dementia who wander in RAC. Based on what is known about dementia-related wandering, this project will explore the feasibility of taking residents with dementia who are known to wander on a 30 minute walk, 5 days per week for 3 weeks.
The aim of the intervention is to reduce risky aspects of wandering while promoting safe walking. This project is part of a program of research that will guide the development of an evidence based protocol to reduce risky aspects of wandering in RAC.