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Wandering at a Nuring Home

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Wandering at a nursing home is a major cause of injury for those residents who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Wandering is defined as a resident with cognitive dysfunction leaving safe spaces in the nursing home, but does not completely leave the facility, as is seen in cases of elopement. It is estimated that 20% of patients with a cognitive issue will wander the nursing home at least once while they are under the care for their condition.

Patients who are newly diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s are particularly prone to wandering in an effort to find surroundings they recognize. Confusion and feeling overwhelmed are difficult for patients with cognitive decline, often causing them to seek out a place of comfort, like their own home or the home of family members. Medications changes, changes in routine, boredom and loneliness, and feeling trapped are also reasons a resident may begin to wander.

Types of Wandering at a Nursing Home

The different reasons of wandering result in different types of wandering in nursing home residents. It is important for nursing home staff to understand why a resident is wandering to try and prevent it from repeatedly occurring.

The types of wandering at a nursing home include:

Fantasy Wandering

Fantasy wandering occurs when a resident is completely unaware of their surroundings, thus resulting in the resident wandering to an imagined place. It is common that residents will imagine past happenings or surroundings and they are often unable to understand that what they are seeking does not exist.

Agitated Wandering

Residents engaging in agitated wandering are doing so with a purpose only they may understand. These residents have a disrupted mental state and their agitation can make them violent to staff and other residents when confronted.

Wandering Due to Environment

Residents who are wandering due to their environment will wander just because they see a doorway or hall. They will also sit when they come across a seat, lay down when they come across a bed, for example. Nursing home staff must be diligent about watching these residents, as environmental stimuli is harder to control than resident behavior.

Recreational Wandering

Residents who are not getting the exercise or human contact they are accustomed to may be prone to wandering in an effort to secure that interaction. Nursing home staff should recognize this and allow residents to have more time being active and prevent isolation.

Elopement

The most dangerous type of wandering is elopement. Elopement occurs when a resident completely leaves the facility and wanders on their own in public. Residents are often seriously injured while eloping from the nursing home, and there have been many cases where a resident has died. Nursing home staff must pay close attention to those that are prone to elopement as it has a high recurrence rate.

Nursing home staff must find a way to balance safety with personal freedom, which can be difficult. Each resident intake evaluation must include a risk analysis of wandering to ensure that residents are kept safe.

If you feel that your loved one suffered an injury due to wandering at a nursing home, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.

If you believe a loved one has been abused or neglected at a long-term care facility, contact 844 See Mike, for a free consultation. We are a Chicago injury law firm representing individuals and families who have suffered an injury or loss due to an accident. 844 See Mike, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us–just the opportunity to seek justice.

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