Prevalence of and Antecedents to Dementia-Related Missing Incidents in the Community

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2011

Keywords

Caregivers, Cognitive impairment, Aging, Alzheimer's disease, Prospective study

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1159/000329792

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of and antecedents to missing incidents among community-dwelling persons with dementia.

Methods: This prospective study used mailed surveys and telephone interviews.

Results: The prevalence of having any incident was 0.46/year; the overall prevalence for missing incidents in this study was 0.65/year. Missing incidents had few antecedents and occurred largely when persons with dementia were performing everyday activities that they normally completed without incident.

Conclusion: Given that a missing incident is relatively common among persons with dementia, health care professionals should assist caregivers with a missing incident plan early in the disease process. Also, as missing persons are found by persons other than the caregiver and caregivers underutilize identification devices, health care professionals may recommend the use of identification devices to facilitate a safe return.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, v. 31, issue 6, p. 406-412

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