Shocking Elopement Statistics: How to Keep Wandering Residents Safe

If you operate a residential care facility and your residents include seniors, elopement is a concern. This article shares several shocking statistics that you can use to educate your team about your facility’s elopement exposures, so you can all work together, taking important steps to keep wandering residents safe.

Senior Elopement Statistics

Dementia is prevalent among older adults. Wandering (also called elopement) is a common symptom.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, more than 7 million people aged 65 and above likely have dementia in the U.S. This number could rise to 9 million by 2030 and to 12 million by 2040 as the population ages. This is because the odds of dementia increase as people age. Here are the percentages of seniors who have dementia by age group:

• 3% of adults between the ages of 70 and 74.
• 22% or adults between the ages of 85 and 89.
• 33% of adults aged 90 and above.

The National Council on Aging says approximately 36% of people with dementia are prone to wandering. More than six in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once. This exposes them to many dangers, including injuries, dehydration, harsh weather exposure, medical complications, drowning, and being hit by a car. Sadly, the consequences are often fatal. A review of U.S. newspaper articles discovered that 40% of people with dementia who were involved in wandering incidents were found dead the following day.

Wandering Is a Risk for Assisted Living Facilities

Although many people with dementia live in nursing homes, a significant number live in residential care facilities, including assisted living communities. According to HHS, 6% of people with dementia (or approximately 331,000 individuals) live in residential care settings.

These figures are likely to increase. With the population aging and many seniors resisting a move into more restrictive nursing homes, assisted living facilities are experiencing acuity creep – or an increase in the level of care that residents require. In a survey by McKnights Long-Term Care News, 87% of respondents reported an increase in acuity levels at assisted living facilities.

Controlling Wandering Risks and Keeping Residents Safe

An investigation from The Washington Post found that more than 2,000 people have wandered away from assisted living and memory care facilities since 2018. Dozens of them died after wandering away unnoticed.

Some of these cases resulted in legal actions. For example, The Island Packet says the family of a man who died after he wandered out of an assisted living home has decided to sue the facility. The man was 79 years old and experiencing dementia. In another case, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette says an assisted living facility has agreed to a significant settlement in a wrongful death case involving a wandering resident.

Acuity creep means residential care facilities are facing greater wandering risks and may need to adjust their practices to manage these risks. There are five key steps to take.

1. Train Staff on Wandering Risks

Residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments, as well as residents who have wandered in the past, have a higher risk of elopement. According to the National Council on Aging, other warning signs to watch for include expressing a desire to leave, frequently searching for missing people or lost items, trying to open doors to other areas, and looking for keys, coats, purses, or other items that may indicate an intention to leave. Residents who become agitated or restless or who have trouble finding familiar places in their homes may also be at heightened risk.

2. Conduct Elopement Risk Assessments

Assisted living facilities should conduct wandering risk assessments upon admission for new residents, periodically for current residents, and after any incidents or changes in cognitive ability or health. They should keep this information on file along with a record of the interventions they are taking to reduce wandering risks.

3. Create an Environment That Discourages Wandering

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends involving people with dementia in daily activities to keep them occupied, reduce anxiety, and lower the risk of wandering. Plan activities for the time of day when residents are most likely to wander. For residents who experience sundowning, the evening is a critical time.

The Alzheimer’s Association also says it is helpful to camouflage doors and put away things like coats, hats, and keys, which may trigger a desire to wander. For doors the resident needs to use – for example, the door to the bathroom – it’s helpful to use clear labels to avoid any confusion.

4. Monitor Residents and the Exits

If residents do wander, being able to find them quickly may be a matter of life and death. Monitor the exits and use surveillance video. Talk to neighbors in advance and ask them to report anything usual – like an elderly person who seems lost or confused.

For residents who are at risk of wandering, a smartwatch with GPS or another type of GPS tracker could be a lifesaver. Smart sole shoe trackers are also available and may be a good precaution to suggest to families. Also, check to see if your community has a Take Me Home program as suggested in this article on reducing wandering risks.

5. Determine Whether Your Facility Can Provide Adequate Care for Dementia Patients

As residents age and develop more health issues, they will need a higher level of care. At some point, your facility may no longer be able to provide an adequate level of care. Although relocation may be stressful, it is sometimes necessary.

Are Your Liability Insurance Limits Sufficient?

When you consider the shocking elopement statistics outlined in this article, it’s easy to see why it’s so important to manage elopement risks and insure against any potential liability. Tangram provides residential care facility insurance through the Personal Care & Assisted Living Insurance Center (PCALIC). We can help you get the coverage and risk management resources needed to take control of residential care facility exposures. Learn more.