Exploring wandering in care homes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reframing 'wandering' as a meaningful activity using realist synthesis and qualitative exploration: the FREEDEM study
IRAS ID
336231
Contact name
Alys Wyn Griffiths
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 16 days
Research summary
It is common for people with dementia living in care homes to wander, many care staff and families perceive this behaviour as a symptom of dementia which is challenging to manage. While people with dementia may wander due to cognitive impairments or inability to orient, previous research has highlighted a number of reason why people in care homes walk including for enjoyment, exercise, as it is a lifelong habit, to socialise, due to unmet needs and to relive boredom. Despite 'wandering' having benefits for residents both physically and to maintain autonomy, currently many care staff and families use strategies to prevent wandering. We aim to explore and understand care homes attitudes and views towards 'wandering' in care homes and how residents are supported to wander safely. The research consists of three phases; A realist review, ethnography study, and co-production workshops. The realist review will explore the current literature on strategies to support wandering to understand in what circumstances and for whom the strategies are effective. As part of the realist review, focus groups will be run with care staff to 'sense check' the findings from the literature with care staffs experience to see if they are similar. The ethnography study will consist of observations and interviews with residents, care staff and relatives in care homes. The study aims to observe daily practices in care homes to support 'wandering' and to explore staff, relatives and residents' attitudes towards 'wandering'. The study will run for 2 months in each care home with each resident being observed for between 12-16 hours. The results from the two studies will aid the researchers in developing guidance materials on supporting residents to wander safely, to encourage care homes to allow residents to 'wander'. Co-production workshops will ensure that the materials are appropriate for the intended audience.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0659
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion