Families place their loved ones in nursing homes with the hope they’ll be cared for in a safe, secure environment. Elopement may occur when facilities fail to ensure adequate supervision. This happens when vulnerable residents wander off the premises without oversight or permission, potentially resulting in serious harm or death.

When a resident suffers injuries due to elopement, it can leave families heartbroken and searching for answers. Understanding the risks of elopement and how to prevent it can help protect elderly loved ones in care facilities.

If improper supervision caused harm to your loved one, the Michigan nursing home abuse lawyers at Fieger Law can provide compassionate legal guidance and help your family seek fair compensation.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Elopement

Many nursing homes implement measures such as secured doors to keep residents safe. However, lapses in care or oversight can still lead to instances of elopement. Below are some of the most common causes:

  • Inadequate Staff Supervision: Residents are at higher risk of elopement when staff fail to monitor them closely, particularly during busy times like shift changes or meal service.
  • Understaffing: Nearly 94% of nursing homes were understaffed in 2021, and 72% are still operating with fewer caregivers than before the pandemic. Limited caregivers make it harder to monitor residents, increasing the likelihood of elopement.
  • Cognitive Impairments: Conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia often lead to confusion or wandering, leaving residents vulnerable to elopement. As Alzheimer’s cases are projected to double by 2030, incidents of wandering and elopement may also increase.
  • Poor Facility Security Measures: Nursing homes without proper security features, such as locked doors, functional alarms, or enclosed outdoor spaces, face a greater risk of elopement incidents.

Understanding these causes is the first step to prevention. If you suspect negligence played a role in your loved one’s care, speak with our team at Fieger Law. We can help identify abuse or neglect and take legal action to protect your family’s rights.

The Dangers of Nursing Home Elopement

Elopement poses serious risks to residents. When a nursing home fails to take safety measures to protect residents, it can result in the following:

  • Risk of Injury: Residents may suffer falls, accidents, or other injuries while unsupervised outside the facility.
  • Exposure to Harsh Weather: Extreme heat, cold, or storms can threaten residents’ health and safety, causing dehydration, heat stroke, or frostbite.
  • Wandering into Dangerous Areas: Residents might unknowingly enter busy streets, construction zones, or other hazardous locations.
  • Becoming Disoriented: Cognitive impairments can cause confusion and emotional distress when residents are unable to find their way back or seek help.

Protect your loved one from these risks. If harm has occurred, the skilled legal team at Fieger Law can investigate and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Nursing Homes’ Legal Responsibility

Nursing homes are legally obligated to provide a safe environment and protect residents from harm, including the risk of elopement. This responsibility involves adequate staffing, proper supervision, and security measures such as alarms and locked doors.

When facilities fail to meet these obligations, they can face serious consequences. Families may file lawsuits for negligence, seeking compensation for injuries or wrongful death caused by elopement.

Regulatory agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may impose fines, sanctions, or revoke licenses for failing to uphold safety standards. CMS posts a public database of all penalties and fines across the U.S. nursing homes, which can help families identify potentially negligent facilities.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Trusting a care facility with your loved one can feel intimidating, but you can take steps to protect their well-being and reduce the risk of elopement. Here’s how:

  • Choose a Secure Facility: Research facilities through tools like Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare, which provides safety ratings and inspection reports. Visit local facilities and look for features like secure doors, alarms, and enclosed outdoor spaces. Ask about staff training on wandering prevention and observe how residents are supervised.
  • Communicate With Staff: Discuss your loved one’s needs, such as confusion or wandering tendencies. Establish regular communication with staff to stay informed about their care plan and any incidents or concerns.
  • Monitor Warning Signs: Be alert for changes in behavior in your loved one, such as increased confusion, wandering near exits, or attempting to open doors. Immediately address concerns like unlocked doors or lapses in supervision with facility management.
  • Get an Attorney Involved Early: If your loved one suffers harm due to facility negligence, contact Fieger Law. We can explain your legal options, help you file a complaint with state oversight agencies, and pursue lawsuits for damages. Your attorney can gather evidence, handle nursing home communication, and negotiate a fair settlement on behalf of your family.

Seek Justice With Fieger Law

Nursing home elopement can lead to devastating consequences, but families have the power to seek justice and ensure accountability. If your loved one has been harmed due to improper supervision or facility negligence, the experienced Michigan nursing home abuse lawyers at Fieger Law can help.

Our experienced legal team handles cases anywhere in the U.S. We’ll use our years of expertise and legal insight to assess your case and hold negligent facilities accountable for the harm caused to your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation.