Evidence-Based Protocols for Managing Wandering Behaviors

I have not seen a book that does a better job with synthesis or provision of good concise information to those in need." (3 Stars)--Doody's Book Review Service

Wandering behaviors are among the most frequent, problematic, and dangerous conditions associated with dementia and a continual challenge in health care and the community. Strongly research-based, this book presents and analyzes the latest research on wandering from the clinical, health care management, and policy literature and offers practical assessment and management tools. Nurses, physicians, gerontologists and others address the range of wandering behaviors of patients with Alzheimer's and other dementias, including prevention of elopement, getting lost, falls, fractures, and the subsequent need for extended nursing home or other supervised care that may result. The book places special emphasis on the difficult and stressful problems of daily patient care, improving safety for those with cognitive impairments, and enabling those with dementia to remain independent longer.

This book is for all caregivers intent on improving care for the nearly 5 million Americans who are at risk.

Key Features of this book:

• Offers practical tools for measuring and assessing wandering
• Emphasizes difficult and stressful daily problems of patient care
• Assesses medication and nonpharmacological interventions
• Describes the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return√Ü Program
• Weighs environmental design factors that influence wandering behaviors

Audrey L. Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Director of the Veterans Administration Patient Safety Research Center and has more than 28 years of experience in nursing. She currently serves as the Associate Chief of Nursing Service for Research at the Tampa VA and Director of the Tampa Patient Safety Center of Inquiry. Dr. Nelson is Associate Director of Clinical Research at the University of South Florida College of Nursing and is a Research Professor in the Colleges of Public Health and Engineering. She is a national leader in patient safety and has established and chairs the International Research Consortium on Wandering.

Donna L. Algase, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, is the Josephine M. Sana Collegiate Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, University of Michigan, founding Director of the Center of Frail and Vulnerable Elders, and Director of the Intervention Development and Measurement Core of the Michigan Center for Health Interventions.