Dementia: Researchers from the University of Ulster have joined a UK-wide network aimed at finding new and improved ways for hospitals, nursing homes and individual carers to cope with dementia patients who go wandering.
The network is the first of its kind in the UK and will bring together researchers, development workers, practitioners and older people to explore and debate the challenges associated with wandering and related behaviours among older people who have dementia.
The partnership is headed by Brendan McCormack, professor of nursing research at the University of Ulster and director of nursing research at the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast. Other participants include the universities of Edinburgh, Northumbria, and the Royal College of Nursing Institute (RCNI).
Prof McCormack said: "Wandering behaviour among older people in health and social care settings is one of the most challenging aspects of practice and often results in restraining or containment strategies being used. These generally have a negative impact on older people, and we need to develop new ways of working that do not restrict the autonomy of older people as much."
People have sometimes been injured - and killed - in accidents that have happened when they have gone wandering, he said.
Dr Heather Wilkinson of Northumbria and Edinburgh universities added: "The grant from the Burdett Trust will enable us to develop a series of seminars that will bring together older people, researchers, development workers and clinicians to explore this complex issue. Our intention is to raise awareness and interest in this issue and enable person-centred and evidence-based practice to be developed."
Jan Dewing, an RCNI dementia care expert, said: "For too many years we have resorted to ineffective methods for responding to wandering such as locking doors and restricting freedom to move around. Whilst the risks associated with wandering are obvious, we know that locking doors is not the answer. We have a lot to do in this area to change values and beliefs. There is an evidence base that UK nurses can draw on and we aim to raise its profile in the UK."
The first partnership seminar takes place in Belfast in September.