A Review of “Wandering” Instruments for People With Dementia Who Get Lost

Objectives: This study is the first review to be conducted to evaluate measures of wandering behavior for identifying people with dementia at risk of getting lost. Method: Drawing upon systematic review search strategies, the relevant literature was reviewed for wandering instruments using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. The psychometric properties of these were evaluated with reference to establishing the risk of getting lost. Results: The search yielded 34 instruments. Of these, one wandering-specific measure and four measures of behavioral change in dementia met inclusion criteria. The ability of these to confidently evaluate the risk of getting lost remains uncertain. Conclusion: Further research is required to more fully evaluate the psychometric properties of the retrieved instruments. This process is made complex by difficulties in defining wandering and getting lost and methodologically, by the absence of a criterion reference. Methodological developments are required to enhance assessment-focused reviews in the psychosocial intervention field.