One of the dangers for the elderly is wandering off and elopement and this is something that the elderly nursing home resident should be protected from by the nursing home staff supervision. Wandering off and elopement is the wandering off or walking away unsupervised by the elderly nursing home patient.
The elderly can be affected by two diseases that can promote confusion and make them more at risk for wandering off without supervision or being aware it can be dangerous. These are the elderly Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients that have symptoms including memory loss and confusion. These are medical conditions that make it difficult for the family to care for the elderly loved one at home and they entrust a living facility to provide the proper care and protect the elderly person. There are some senior homes that are not equipped to care for the elderly patient that suffers from a condition that might cause them to wander off. Without proper supervision of the nursing home staff it can put the health and well being of the elderly patient at risk of wandering off and this can be negligent when they agree to care for the elderly patient.
The things that could make them negligent in their supervision of the elderly person at risk of wandering off can include:
- Doors without alarms to alert the nursing staff when one is opened by an elderly nursing home resident.
- Negligent nursing staff and inattentive physicians
- Lack of supervision and security
- The understaffed nursing home or care facility
The laws for senior consider it negligence when a care facility does not provide the level of care the elderly patient requires and this includes wandering off from the facility. This includes devices known as Wander Guard as not providing the level of attention, supervision can personal care this elderly patient requires when suffering from confusion, Dementia, Alzheimer’s or mental instability.
When Wandering Off and Elopement Are A Problem
When wandering off and elopement are a problem for the family of a loved one in a care facility due to poor supervision, it is negligence. Our attorneys can hold the negligent caregiver responsible when an elderly loved one has been a victim, of negligent supervision. Wandering off by an senior victim of negligent supervision can cause fear and emotional stress, but it can also put the person in danger of being hurt or killed.
To speak with our Wandering Off and Elopement Attorneys call 888-400-9721.