Wandering describes movement without clear purpose or destination by residents with dementia or cognitive impairment. It occurs within the facility, unlike elopement which involves leaving the premises.
It is a recognized behavior requiring assessment and care planning rather than prevention.
Alternative Names:
Resident Wandering, Ambulatory Dysfunction
Why it Matters?
Wandering is not itself a harm and federal guidance treats it as behavior to be accommodated safely rather than stopped, since residents have rights to mobility and restraint use is restricted. Claims arise where wandering led to a fall, entry into a hazardous area, or a resident-on-resident encounter. The defense rests on whether the behavior was assessed, care planned, and monitored at a level matching the documented risk.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Should wandering be prevented?
When does wandering support a claim?
