Characterizing wandering behaviors in persons with traumatic brain injury residing in veterans health administration nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and correlates of wandering in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in nursing homes (NHs).

DESIGN

Using a cross-sectional design, logistic regression modeling was used to analyze a national database.

SETTING

One hundred thirty-four NH facilities operated by the Veterans Health Administration.

PARTICIPANTS

NH residents (N=625) with TBI as well as a sample (n=164) drawn from a larger dataset of NH residents without TBI using 1:K matching on age.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Wandering.

RESULTS

Wanderers with and without TBI did not differ significantly overall. The prevalence of wandering among patients with TBI was 14%, compared with 6.5% of the general nursing home population. The results of the multivariate logistic regression suggested that wandering was associated with poor memory, poor decision making, behavior problems, independence in locomotion and ambulation, and dependence in activities of daily living related to basic hygiene.

CONCLUSIONS

Wandering is relatively common in NH residents with TBI. As expected, it is associated with cognitive, social, and physical impairments. Further research with a larger sample should examine those with comorbid dementia and/or psychiatric diagnoses.