Elopement or wandering is a major safety concern for people living in nursing homes. Particularly when adults have mobility challenges or have experienced cognitive decline, leaving the facility without permission could have tragic consequences. Older adults could fall and suffer major injuries. They could have serious medical issues caused by not receiving medication on time as needed. They could end up injured due to a pedestrian crash or sickened by exposure if they are outside for hours or multiple days.
Elopement issues are a well-known safety concern at nursing homes. Nursing homes can usually prevent elopement, making resident wandering a sign of negligent care.
Elopement is typically predictable
Those who have dementia could become confused about their circumstances and may try to leave a nursing home or similar facility. Those who regularly complain about their experiences at the facility and adults struggling with cognitive decline are at particularly high risk of an elopement incident.
The people working at nursing homes should regularly evaluate residents to track their cognitive decline and provide appropriate support. Those with memory issues or dementia may require placement in a specialized locked memory ward. They typically cannot leave without staff support and approval for their own safety.
Taking prompt action to secure residents who could wander off without supervision is of the utmost importance for their health and safety. Unfortunately, nursing homes may not take the appropriate steps to protect vulnerable adults.
Workers may fail to record warning signs of cognitive decline or extreme dissatisfaction with living circumstances. The facility may not have appropriate testing protocols in place, so vulnerable residents may not undergo evaluations after moving in that could affirm the need for changing levels of support.
Lapses in security protocol and inadequate staff training can also contribute to the likelihood of an elopement incident occurring at a nursing home. Understaffing could also be an issue, as workers spread thin may not notice a resident leaving or their absence. When older adults leave nursing homes without permission or support, they can end up hurt and in need of medical care.
Families can potentially pursue nursing home negligence lawsuits after elopement or wandering incidents result in injury or illness. Realizing that facilities can prevent elopement can empower families to take appropriate action.
