Dealing with wandering in institutional care: Exploring the field

Abstract

We will present a case study on institutional care workers' strategies in dealing with wandering dementia patients. We will highlight their day-to-day practices, permanently balancing conflicting demands around keeping harm away from residents with wandering behavior. The risk of harm is multifactorial and also socially, culturally and organizationally defined. A closer examination of how the staff uses non-tech, low-tech and information and communication technology (ICT) artifacts in their daily practice helps us gain a better understanding of their practical problems and rationales for further ICT design. © 2013 ICST.