Evidence-based Protocols for Managing Wandering Behaviors

Wandering behavior is among the most frequent, problematic, and dangerous phenomena associated with dementia and in the health care community. This book is designed to address the range of wandering behaviors of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including: prevention of elopement (leaving an institution unescorted); getting lost; and falls, fractures, and the subsequent need for extended nursing home or other supervised care. This text will place special emphasis on managing the stressful problems of daily patient care (activities of daily living), improving safety for those with cognitive impairments, and providing methods and strategies of care that will enable those with dementia to remain independent longer. Features of this edition include: uses evidence-based protocols for care management; addresses all wandering behaviors in institutional and community settings; covers staff and caregiver training issues; describes the Alzheimer's Association Safe Return Program; discusses medication issues and non-pharmacological interventions for wandering; and, assesses environmental design considerations that impact wandering behavior.