“Would you like to join me for a walk?” The feasibility of a supervised walking programme for people with dementia who wander

Margaret MacAndrew*, Ann Kolanowski, Elaine Fielding, Graham Kerr, Mitchell McMaster, Katy Wyles, Elizabeth Beattie

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aims and objectives: Five of the eight focus areas of Bowen's Feasibility Framework were utilised to assess the feasibility of implementing the Safe Walking Program (SWP) with people with severe dementia who wander in long-term care (LTC). Background: Dementia-related wandering in LTC is associated with adverse outcomes related to intensity (malnutrition, exhaustion and pain, injury) and type of walking (sleep deprivation, resident violence and elopement, death). There is little evidence guiding best practice for managing wandering in LTC. Design: The SWP involved a three-week trial of taking residents (n = 7) for a 30-min supervised walk, 30 min before individual peak walking activity periods (PWAP), outside the care facility. Quantitative (real-time observation and 24/7 Actigraph™ data: not reported here) and qualitative data were collected pre-, during and postintervention. Methods: Feasibility to implement the SWP protocol was evaluated using a protocol fidelity checklist completed at the end of each scheduled intervention. Acceptability and sustainability of the programme were evaluated through staff interviews. Results: Eighty per cent of scheduled walks commenced and were completed, with 91% of walks lasting the full 30 min. Care staff reported benefits for participants and care staff. The perceived sustainability of the SWP in the LTC setting was impacted by the strict timing of the walk to coincide with participant's individual PWAP. The use of care staff to lead some scheduled walks was seen as interfering with care routines. Conclusions: To enhance the acceptability/sustainability of the SWP in LTC, further testing of the importance of dose and timing is required. Consideration needs to be given to suggested modifications to the protocol. Implications for practice: The SWP is an acceptable and enjoyable activity for people with severe dementia who wander. Utilising walking tracks around the neighbourhood was perceived as being an important element of the programme.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere12244
    JournalInternational journal of older people nursing
    Volume14
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2019

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of '“Would you like to join me for a walk?” The feasibility of a supervised walking programme for people with dementia who wander'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this