Wandering behaviors in institutionalized persons with dementia.

1. Etiological factors that have been identified in relation to wandering include mental impairment, confusion, darkened or unfamiliar environment, boredom, stress, tension, anxiety, lack of control, lack of exercise, diseases of the central nervous system and cardiac decompensation. 2. The findings of this pilot study indicate that in structured settings such as SCUs, behaviors appear to be related to activities in the environment, e.g., quiet behaviors at night and more active behaviors during the day. 3. Psychotropic medications may not have the desired effect on behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease, however, nursing interventions geared toward modifying the environment may be useful in shaping behaviors of patients with dementia.