Risk Factors That May Cause A Person To Wander

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Wandering may seem harmless to others, but for the individual experiencing it, it may pose a serious risk for harm. Wandering can be classified as pacing back and forth, repetitive movements, or even trespassing into dangerous places. When a person wanders away and does not return this is consider elopement, which is the most dangerous type of wandering. Typically, wandering occurs in nursing homes, but may occur at home as well. As nurses it is very important to identify risk factors that may cause a person to wander. When assessing wandering in an individual, it is important to carefully evaluate all underlying problems, including medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial. Some risk factors may include: cognitive impairment, side effects of

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