Title: Predictors the factors of getting lost behavior in dementia persons: Family caregivers' perspectives
Abstract:
Objectives: Dementia persons were at high risk of getting lost, placing a heavy burden on family caregivers. Although getting lost was difficult to predict, observable predictive factors can be used to detect possible getting lost and preventive measures need to be taken to prevent getting lost. The purpose of this study was to explore the related factors and predictors of getting lost behavior in dementia persons through quantitative research.
Method: This study adopted a cross-sectional study design, convenience sampling was used to recruit 280 family caregivers of dementia persons from the neurology outpatient clinics of two hospitals in northern Taiwan, all procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Boards (NO. 202200584BO , 111-D-05-01 )from July 2022 to February 2023, using demographic data, Questionnaire of Everyday Navigational Ability. Dementia persons were divided into getting lost group and non-getting lost group according to whether they were getting lost. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t test, chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression model was used to analyze the data.
Results: The getting lost rate of dementia persons was 44.6%. Mean scores on attention deficit, heading disorientation, egocentric disorientation and landmark agnosia differed significantly between dementia persons with and without getting lost. Moderate dementia, attention deficit, landmark agnosia, and caregivers' perceived poor health increase the possibility of getting lost behaviors in dementia persons. For each additional level of attention deficit in dementia persons, the risk of getting lost increases 6.32 times (95%Cl, 1.53-25.97, p =.01). For each additional level of landmark agnosia in dementia persons, the risk of getting lost increased 46.44 times (95%Cl, 7.02-307, p =.00). Landmark agnosia is the most important predictor of getting lost behavior.
Conclusion: Family caregivers need to increase their sensitivity and observe the important predictors of getting lost behavior in dementia persons. They need to prevent getting lost before the symptoms of "attention deficit" and "landmark agnosia" appear in the dementia persons.
Key words: Getting lost behavior, dementia persons, family caregivers.
Audience Take Away Notes:
• Getting lost is a serious problem for dementia persons. The getting lost rate of dementia persons is 44.6%. Getting lost can be very distressing for dementia persons and their family caregivers
• Although getting lost is difficult to predict, this study find that persons with moderate dementia, cases with attention deficit, landmark agnosia, and caregivers' perceived poor health are important indicators for predicting the getting lost behavior of dementia persons
• Family caregivers need to adopt preventive strategies to prevent getting lost before dementia persons develop symptoms of "attention deficit" and "landmark agnosia"
