Dementia and Wandering Behavior: Concern for the Lost Elder

by Nina M. Silverstein PhD, Gerald Flaherty, Terri Tobin PhD

Overview

Winner of an AJN Book of the Year Award!

Alzheimer's is quickly becoming the epidemic of the 21st century. Today, an estimated four million Americans suffer from this devastating disease. This number could explode to 14 million by the year 2050, when baby boomers come of age.

Written in a clear and accessible style, Dementia and Wandering Behavior brings attention to this life-threatening problem and helps professionals and family caregivers understand that there are preventative measures available.

By focusing on specific responses to wandering behavior and describing ways to create a safe environment in the home, community, and care facility, this book teaches you how to maximize autonomy while minimizing risk for people with dementia in your care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826196835
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/03/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Nina M. Silverstein, PhD, is Associate Professor of Gerontology at the Universitiy of Massachusetts, Boston, College of Public and Community Service.

Gerald Flaherty has been with the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association since 1989. As Director of Special Projects, he coordinates the national Safe Return Program in Massachusetts, the chapter's Medical&Scientific Advisory Committee, and its media relations.

Terri Salmons Tobin, PhD, is Associate Director of Research at Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

Read an Excerpt

chapter

Table of Contents

"

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I: Introduction
Introduction

1. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: An Overview
2. Comprehensive Review of the Literature on Wandering Behavior
3. The Dementia Wanderer: A Profile

Part II: Current Community Responses to Wandering Behavior: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why
Introduction

4. The Caregiver
5. Law Enforcement and Technology
6. Long-Term Care Providers

Part III: Creating a Safe Environment
Introduction

7. The Home: Recommendations for Family Caregivers
8. The Facility: Recommendations for Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Residences
9. The Community: Recommendations for Elder Care and Acute Care Providers
10. The Lifesaving Role of ""First Responders:"" Recommendations for Police, EMS, Fire, and Search&Rescue Personnel

Conclusions
References
Index

"

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The book's strength is the rich use of research materials to present a well thought out and comprehensive presentation on wandering behavior. Creatively the authors weave research materials, newspaper reports, and statistical data into an easy to read, educational, and instructive book....[The authors] share a wealth of collective knowledge and expertise in caring for older adults. The book is an excellent resource for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, students of geriatric studies, new caregivers, and newly diagnosed older adults."—Social Work in Health Care

"This easy-to-read book offers concrete suggestions for the range of professional caregivers in community and institutional settings, for people with dementia and their families in the community, as well as for first-responders such as police and search and rescue personnel. [It] speaks to the risks associated with wandering behavior and demonstrates that acknowledgement of these risks leads to early precautions to avoid them....provides invaluable information to help Alzheimer's patients remain longer and more secure with their friends and families in the community, and more safe with their caregivers in facilities."
-Rep. Edward J. Markey, Co-chair, Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease

Editorial Reviews

This reference addresses the need for caregivers to find preventive measures for creating safe environments that maximize autonomy and at the same time minimize risk for people with dementia. Gerald Flaherty (Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association) and gerontologists Nina M. Silverstein (U. of Massachusetts) and Terri Salmons Tobin define dementia and review the relevant literature, discuss community responses to wandering, and address the needs of a variety of individual care providers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)