Elopement, or the unsupervised wandering of nursing home residents, is a severe safety risk that can result in serious injury or death. This danger is particularly high for residents with cognitive impairments, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. When a nursing home fails to implement proper safety measures, residents may wander away unnoticed, exposing them to extreme weather, traffic hazards, or becoming lost and leading to serious injuries and even death. 

Common Causes of Elopement in Nursing Homes

Several systemic failures contribute to nursing home elopement, including:

• Inadequate Supervision. Nursing homes often operate with insufficient staff, leaving high-risk residents unsupervised for extended periods. 
• Failure to Implement Security Measures. Unlocked or unsecured exits, broken alarms, and a lack of surveillance allow residents to leave unnoticed. 
• Poor Staff Training. Staff members who are not properly trained in elopement prevention may fail to recognize warning signs or respond appropriately when a resident is missing. 
• Lack of Proper Risk Assessment. Some facilities fail to assess new residents for elopement risks or neglect to update care plans as cognitive decline progresses. 
• Neglecting Resident Needs. When residents experience unmet physical or emotional needs, they may wander in search of food, companionship, or comfort. 

Risks Associated with Elopement

When a Wisconsin nursing home fails to implement proper safety measures, vulnerable residents -- particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia -- may wander away unnoticed, exposing them to severe and potentially fatal dangers. Some of the most significant risks associated with elopement include:

1. Exposure to Extreme Weather: Elderly individuals are highly susceptible to weather-related illnesses. Prolonged exposure to heat can result in heatstroke and dehydration, while cold temperatures (especially in these Wisconsin winters) increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Exposure to extreme weather can be deadly. 
2. Traffic and Roadway Hazards: Confused residents may unknowingly walk into busy streets, parking lots, or intersections, putting them at risk of being struck by vehicles. 
3. Falls and Injuries: Eloping residents often wander into unsafe areas, such as stairwells, construction sites, or uneven terrain, increasing the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls that can result in broken bones, head trauma, other severe injuries, or death. 
4. Drowning Risks: Nursing home residents who wander unsupervised near bodies of water are at risk of accidental drowning, particularly if they have mobility issues or cognitive impairments. 
5. Becoming Lost or Disoriented: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may quickly become lost and confused, unable to find their way back to the facility or communicate their distress, leading to prolonged exposure to dangerous conditions. 
6. Medical Emergencies: Many nursing home residents require regular medication and medical supervision. If an eloping resident misses essential treatments, such as insulin for diabetes or medications for heart conditions, their health can deteriorate rapidly, leading to severe complications or death. 

Preventing Elopement in Nursing Homes

To effectively prevent elopement, nursing homes must implement comprehensive safety protocols, including:

• Conducting Thorough Risk Assessments. Every resident should be evaluated for elopement risk upon admission and regularly reassessed. 
• Implementing Security Measures. Facilities must have secured exits, alarmed doors, surveillance systems, and adequate lighting to deter wandering - especially in memory care units. 
• Increasing Supervision. Staff-to-resident ratios should be sufficient to ensure adequate monitoring, especially for high-risk individuals. 
• Enhancing Staff Training. Employees should be educated on elopement warning signs, prevention strategies, and emergency response protocols. 
• Providing Personalized Care Plans. Residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments should have customized care plans that include interventions such as engaging activities, structured routines, and safe outdoor spaces. 

Elopement and Dementia Residents

Residents with dementia are particularly vulnerable to elopement due to their cognitive impairments. They may not recognize danger, forget where they are, or wander in search of familiar places or people. Inadequate care and lack of engagement can exacerbate wandering behaviors, making it crucial for nursing homes to take proactive steps, such as:

Providing Meaningful Activities: Engaging dementia residents in structured activities can reduce restlessness and the urge to wander.

Creating Safe Wandering Spaces: Secure outdoor gardens or designated walking paths can allow residents to move freely without risk. 

Using Proper Safety Measures: Devices like Wanderguard bracelets -- wristbands designed to trigger alarms and secure monitored doors -- can help staff detect and prevent elopement when implemented effectively. 

Legal Obligations under Wisconsin and Federal Law

Under Wisconsin Administrative Code DHS 132, nursing homes have a duty to provide a safe environment and adequate supervision for all residents. Facilities are required to:

• Conduct thorough assessments to identify residents at risk for elopement.
• Implement security measures, including alarm systems and secured exits.
• Ensure adequate staffing and supervision.
• Provided personalized care plans tailored to high-risk individuals. 

Additionally, federal regulations under the Nursing Home Reform Act mandate that nursing homes provide residents with an environment free from hazards, which includes preventing elopement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) require facilities to assess residents upon admission and routinely thereafter to determine their risk for wandering and implementing appropriate safety measures. 

Is the Wisconsin Nursing Home Responsible for Elopement?

When a nursing home fails to protect residents from elopement, the facility may be held legally accountable for any resulting injuries or wrongful death. Negligence may be established if the nursing home fails to implement adequate security measures, neglects to properly supervise high-risk residents, or ignores/fails to address known elopement risks. 

Families affected by nursing home negligence in elopement cases may have grounds for legal action. If your loved one has suffered serious injury or death due to nursing home elopement, contact Attorney Kristen Lojewski today to be seen, be heard, be safe, and be championed.