Heard, K., & Watson, T. S. (1999).
Reducing wandering by persons with dementia using differential reinforcement.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 381-384.
Wandering behavior of 4 geriatric patients with dementia residing
in a long-term care facility was assessed using direct
behavioral observations. The consequences identified during the
observations as maintaining wandering for each patient were then
applied for the absence of wandering using differential
reinforcement of other behavior (DRO). The effectiveness of the
DRO procedure was evaluated using an ABAB design. Results
indicated significant reductions in wandering during treatment.
DESCRIPTORS: _dementia, geriatric patients, wandering,
differential reinforcement