Intervention strategies for exit-seeking wandering behavior in dementia residents

Abstract

Long-term care facilities need effective intervention strategies to assist residents who, out of confusion, frustration, or anger, seek to exit the facility, which can result in their becoming lost or injured. This article describes some of the factors that lead to exit-seeking behavior and offers proven methods for educating staff to intervene during these episodes, enabling them to deal with the exitseeker in a calm, compassionate, and dignified manner.