Wandering Behavior Associated with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Implications for Designers

Abstract

Issue A challenge facing the profession of interior design is to create special care units in extended care facilities that accommodate wandering, a major behavioral symptom of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Goal This report informs interior design educators about the symptom of wandering, provides design ideas to accommodate the behavior in a safe and supportive environment, and suggests questions for further research. Application Designers can play a major role in insuring the safety and well being of wanderers through careful planning of the interior environment. Description Wandering is a major symptom of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. In the past, individuals living in institutional settings have been restricted through restraint or medication. This often resulted in increased resident agitation. Today, care givers want to accommodate residents who wander yet still provide for their safety. Reasons for wandering are discussed and the patterns of wandering are described to give design educators an understanding of this phenomenon. Research is presented regarding strategies for discouraging unsafe exiting of the unit during wandering episodes. Finally, case studies and examples of current design solutions that accommodate wandering are discussed. Conclusion Interior design educators will be able to use this information to help students understand wandering behavior and recognize the need to critically review the current literature when designing special care units for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.