Older adults typically move into nursing homes because they cannot safely live on their own anymore. Nursing homes can provide them with medical support. Older adults can also count on the employees at the facility to handle daily tasks such as cleaning and cooking.
Ensuring that the residents are safe and secure is a key factor in meeting their needs. Older adults can become confused and may sometimes wander off or leave the place where they live without notifying caregivers first. Such incidents could contribute to the decision to move a loved one to a nursing home.
Unfortunately, sometimes older adults end up endangered, sickened or injured because the nursing home does not ensure their security. A lack of adequate screening and appropriate interventions might result in wandering or elopement.
Elopement can endanger vulnerable people
An elopement incident occurs when someone living in a nursing home leaves without the knowledge or support of staff members. Older adults can end up injured if they wander into traffic or fall while on their own. They could fall ill due to exposure or have medical consequences because they do not receive medications on time.
Particularly when older adults struggle with memory issues or dementia, wandering off on their own could have disastrous results. Facilities should screen people for warning signs of cognitive decline and move them to memory wards or other secure facilities if they could endanger themselves through wandering.
Pursuing a nursing home negligence lawsuit is an appropriate reaction to a major elopement incident. A successful lawsuit can compensate those harmed by the negligent standard of care and may force a facility to adjust its operational practices.
