French Validation of the Revised Algase Wandering Scale for Long-Term Care

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to create a French equivalent of the revised Algase wandering scale for long-term care (RAWS-LTC). Methods: The RAWS-LTC French version (F-RAWS-LTC), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory were administered to a sample of 100 institutionalized patients from 12 specialized homes. Results The mean of the overall F-RAWS-LTC was 2.32 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.74, range 1-4), and the mean of each subscale was 2.48 for persistent walking, 1.62 for eloping behavior, and 2.30 for spatial disorientation. The correlation between the overall F-RAWS-LTC and each subscale was between 0.73 (for Spatial Disorientation) and 0.87 (for Persistent Walking). The correlation between the degree of behavioral disturbances and the overall F-RAWS-LTC is 0.42, and the correlation with the cognitive impairment is 0.50. Differences between the wanderers and nonwanderers are significant for the overall F-RAWS-LTC and for all the subscales. Discussion Data demonstrate the statistical validity of the F-RAWS-LTC.