Factors associated with a history of critical wandering among Medic-Alert subscribers.

Autor: Cruz AM; Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada. miguelcr@ualberta.ca.; Innovation & Technology (GRRIT), Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, 10230 111 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 0B7, Canada. miguelcr@ualberta.ca.; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G5, Canada. miguelcr@ualberta.ca., Perez H; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G5, Canada., Rutledge E; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G5, Canada., Daum C; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G5, Canada., Liu L; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G5, Canada.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC geriatrics [BMC Geriatr] 2024 Jun 28; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 564. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 28.
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05162-3
Abstrakt: Background: Critical wandering occurs when an individual living with dementia leaves a location and is unaware of place or time. Critical wandering incidents are expected to increase with the growing prevalence of persons living with dementia worldwide. We investigated the association between demographic, psychopathological, and environmental factors and a history of critical wandering among Medic-Alert subscribers, both with and without dementia.
Methods: Our retrospective study included data of 25,785 Canadian Medic-Alert subscribers who were aged 40 years or older. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the associations between a history of critical wandering and dementia status as psychopathological independent variable, controlled by demographic (age, ethnic background, sex at birth, Canadian languages spoken) and environmental (living arrangement, population density) factors.
Results: The overall study sample comprised of mainly older adults (77.4%). Medic-Alert subscribers who were older, male sex at birth, living with dementia, of a minority ethnic group and who did not have proficiency in an official Canadian language had a higher likelihood of a history of critical wandering. Residing in an urban environment, in an institution or with a family member, were environmental factors associated with a higher likelihood of a history of critical wandering.
Conclusions: People living with dementia experience a higher likelihood of a history of critical wandering compared to those without dementia. Medic-Alert and similar organizations can develop algorithms based on the associated factors that can be used to flag risks of critical wandering. This can inform preventative strategies at the individual and community levels.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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