Wandering and Elopement as Nursing Home Neglect

empty hallway at nursing faciilty Nursing home understaffing increases the risk of staff members neglecting residents’ needs. Staffers might not even notice a resident wandered away, or worse, left the facility entirely, putting the resident at risk of severe or fatal injury from extreme heat or cold.

Below, we discuss how wandering and elopement occurs at nursing homes, the dangers and how facilities might be held liable for injuries and damages to residents.

If your loved one was injured or died after wandering away from a nursing home, PKSD New Mexico’s New Mexico nursing home abuse lawyers are available to discuss legal options. We have decades of experience with these cases and track record of results for our client.

Call PKSD New Mexico today to schedule a free consultation: 505-677-7777.

What is Wandering and Elopement?

Wandering is a common issue with dementia patients who may walk aimlessly due to confusion or unmet needs, such as:

Using the restroom
Bathing
Taking medication
Eating or getting a drink of water

Sometimes changes in medication lead to increased confusion or agitation, causing residents to wander because they think they need to get somewhere. Residents could also get lost, have visual impairment or simply be bored.

Aimlessly wandering around a nursing home puts residents at risk of falling and suffering a serious injury.

Elopement is even more serious, happening when a resident leaves the facility entirely. Residents could wander into traffic or get stuck outside for hours, putting them at risk of injury from extreme heat or cold.

Residents who leave the facility may think they need to go to work or go home. This is due to confusion, often from memory loss or cognitive deficiencies.

How Can Neglect Lead to Wandering and Elopement?

Nursing homes have a legal responsibility to prevent residents from wandering around or leaving the facility. They need to take extra precautions with residents who have a higher risk of wandering, such as residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Unfortunately, nursing homes often neglect their responsibilities, putting residents at risk for severe injury. Here are some of the types of neglect that could allow residents to wander aimlessly and suffer a serious injury.

Understaffing: Whenever a nursing home resident dies or suffers a catastrophic injury while wandering away, understaffing is often the culprit. No one was watching the resident or even keeping an eye on security cameras. This is not because the staff members at the facility were failing to do their jobs. There were not enough staff members to properly supervise residents or take care of their needs. It could take hours before anyone notices a resident is not where he or she is supposed to be. Sometimes residents simply want food or water and their calls for help or assistance were completely ignored, often because staffers were too busy with other things. Elopement often happens because a staff member left a resident outside to go and do something else for another resident.
Lack of Individualized Care Plans: Every resident should have a personalized care plan that addresses their specific needs and risks, including wandering tendencies. Unfortunately, facilities may fail to implement or follow these plans. Staff members might not even know certain residents are at risk of wandering or leaving the facility.
Unsafe Environments: Unsecured exits, poorly lit hallways, cluttered common areas, and malfunctioning alarms all contribute to the risk of wandering or elopement and resulting injuries, such as broken bones or brain injuries from a fall.
Ignoring Resident Calls for Help: Residents who feel unheard or neglected may resort to wandering to express their needs or frustrations. For example, a resident who needs to use the restroom but cannot find help might wander in search of assistance. Sometimes this happens because facilities are understaffed, but there are times when staffers simply ignore calls for help.

Protecting Your Loved One: What You Can Do

If your loved one is allowed to wander or leave the facility, he or she could suffer severe physical injury, such as from a fall. The elderly often struggle to brace themselves when they fall, leading to more severe injuries.

Residents exposed to extremely hot, cold or harsh weather conditions can suffer from dehydration, hypothermia or heatstroke, and they may end up going without food for an extended period of time. Wandering residents are also at high risk of being struck by a car.

While you rely on your loved one’s nursing home to care for your loved one, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of your loved one wandering around the facility:

Be Vigilant: Visit your loved one regularly and look for signs of neglect, as neglect raises the risk of wandering:
- Physical signs: Unexplained weight loss, dehydration, bedsores, poor hygiene or injuries.
- Behavioral signs: Withdrawal, depression, anxiety or changes in mood or personality
- Environmental signs: Unsanitary living conditions or inadequate supplies
- Caregiver behavior: Staff appearing overworked, stressed or unresponsive to resident needs
- Missed medications: Not receiving medication on time or experiencing side effects
- Restlessness: If your loved one is showing signs of restlessness, has asked about going home, visiting familiar places, or becoming more active at night, he or she may be at risk of wandering.
Review the Care Plan: Ensure the plan outlines measures to address wandering risks specific to your loved one, especially if your loved one has previously wandered away.
Talk to Staff: Express your concerns about wandering and inquire about the facility’s safety protocols. This may include secured exits, 24/7 supervision and monitoring systems.
Ask Questions: You have the right to know how the facility plans to keep your loved one safe. You can ask questions, such as:
- How do you assess and address wandering risks for residents?
- What interventions are used to prevent wandering?
- Is there staff available to supervise residents 24/7, especially those at higher risk of wandering?
- How often will I be updated on my loved one’s condition and care?