Wandering of Elderly People with Dementia in Suburban and Mountainous Areas: Regional Issues

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed clarifying the regional issues of wandering of elderly people with dementia in suburban and mountainous areas.

Method: We targeted one metropolitan suburb and one mountainous district by analyzing already existing data (e.g., demographics), performing a community windshield survey and conducting interviews with 16 families caring for elderly with dementia, local volunteers and 15 healthcare/welfare professionals. The key information was extracted and organized from these data. The identified items were structured into 3 groups and 8 categories, characteristics of each community were described in terms of “strength” or “weakness”, and a logic-tree analysis was performed to assess common and specific characteristics for the two communities.

Results: “Lack of organization for supporting elderly with dementia” and “Fostering motivation among residents for dementia support” were found as common characteristics. “Promotion of collaboration between welfare providers, residents and various industries” and “Insufficient help among residents for watching over elderly with dementia” characterized the suburb, while “Maintaining mutual support among residents watching over elderly with dementia” and “Lack of public awareness of dementia” characterized the mountainous district.

Discussion: Neighborhood relations were found less intimate in suburban areas compared to mountainous areas; there is also a lack of help among residents living in suburban areas. On the other hand, in the mountainous areas, there is some limitation of mutual aid activities due to population decline and aging. Help among residents who watch over elderly people with dementia is needed, as well as activities to raise awareness of dementia.