Wandering As a Goal-Seeking Behavior: Examining Wanderers' Negotiation With the Physical Environment

  • Choi, Jaepil (Department of Architecture, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 1999.12.30

Abstract

Wandering behavior is a serious problem among the elderly in nursing homes, yet it has received relatively little study by those interested in gerontology. The research that has been done has generally regarded wandering behavior as an aimless, directionless movement. Only a few studies have addressed the problem after first assuming that wanderers have a goal to their movement, and fewer still have explored the role of the physical environment on the wanderer's behavior. None have combined the two approaches. In this paper, the physical environment will be looked at for support of the theory of wandering as a goal seeking behavior. In a pilot study using behavior maps, the movements of wanderers and non-wanderers are analyzed and compared for the amount of visual access and exposure their locations contain. While the behavioral implications of these two measurements are considered, the limitations of the results are also discussed, so that their relationship to the cause of wandering behavior may be better understood. By implying that wandering is not a totally aimless but purposeful behavior at least in the subconscious level, constructive design implications can be suggested that would make wandering a more pleasant experience for the wanderer and increase the ease of the nursing home staffs management of the problem.

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