A Look at Deaths Occurring Persons with Dementia Lost in the Community
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2003
Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease, wandering, searching
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/153331750301800612
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine cause of death in persons with dementia (PWDs) who have become lost in the community. The study was a retrospective review of 93 US newspaper articles describing PWDs being found dead in the community after leaving their caregiving situations unattended. Of these PWDs, 87 percent were found dead in natural, secluded, unpopulated areas, such as woods, fields, ditches, and bodies of water. They were generally found less than a mile from where they left, but often were not found for extended periods. Males and persons from community-based residential facilities appear to be at higher risk of dying after leaving unattended than females and those living at home.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
No
Citation / Publisher Attribution
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, v. 18, issue 6, p. 343-348
Scholar Commons Citation
Rowe, Meredeth and Bennett, Vikki, "A Look at Deaths Occurring Persons with Dementia Lost in the Community" (2003). Nursing Faculty Publications. 44.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nur_facpub/44
