Wandering And Elopement

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Wandering And Elopement In Nursing Homes Without Proper Supervision

As a result of impaired cognitive conditions, many nursing home residents are susceptible to wandering or elopement from facilities. Wandering and elopement can lead to significant and sometimes fatal consequences. As a result, it is of the utmost importance that nursing home staff members monitor our loved ones carefully to help prevent wandering and elopement.

Wandering and elopement can lead not only to residents suffering serious falls, but also to residents walking the streets alone. This can happen when a cognitively impaired resident, not knowing any better, walks through a door to get outside. Confused, these residents don’t know how to get back to safety and often end up seriously injured in the process.

Preventing Wandering

Nursing homes and other medical facilities have a duty to protect residents from elopement and wandering. The fact is, most cases of wandering are preventable with appropriate care and supervision from trained staff. If your loved one is at an increased risk for wandering and elopement, ask the staff about:

• A wander guard, who will alert staff if a resident tries to move to a location he or she shouldn’t be in

• Moving your loved one to a secured floor or one without direct access to the elements