When a nursing home resident with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive issues wanders away unsupervised, the results can be tragic. This type of event, called elopement, can lead to serious injuries, exposure to extreme weather, or even death. Sadly, these incidents often occur because facilities fail to follow basic safety procedures.
At Nancy Iler Law Firm, we represent families across Ohio when nursing homes allow residents to wander or leave the premises without proper supervision. Our mission is to hold facilities accountable and ensure your loved one receives the protection they deserve.
What Is Wandering & Elopement?
-
Wandering: A resident with memory loss moves around aimlessly, potentially entering unsafe areas inside the facility.
-
Elopement: A resident leaves the property without staff knowledge or intervention, putting them in immediate danger.
Both situations are red flags that the nursing home failed to monitor and safeguard the resident.
Why Wandering & Elopement Happen
These incidents are preventable when nursing homes follow proper protocols. Common causes of elopement include:
-
Insufficient Supervision: Residents with dementia left unsupervised
-
Understaffed Facilities: Not enough caregivers to monitor residents
-
Broken or Disabled Door Alarms: Allowing exits to go unnoticed
-
Failure to Assess Risk: No care plan for residents with cognitive decline
-
Inadequate Training: Staff not taught how to redirect wandering residents safely
When facilities ignore risk assessments or fail to implement safety measures, they can be held responsible for the harm caused.
The Dangers of Nursing Home Elopement
Residents who wander or escape may experience:
-
Hypothermia or heat stroke due to outdoor exposure
-
Falls resulting in fractures or head injuries
-
Getting lost, assaulted, or struck by a vehicle
-
Missed medications or dehydration
-
Fatal outcomes if they are not located quickly
These tragedies are often entirely preventable when nursing homes follow federal care guidelines.
Legal Options for Dayton Families
If your loved one was harmed or passed away after a wandering or escape incident, you may have a legal right to compensation for:
-
Emergency medical care and hospitalization
-
Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
-
Long-term care costs if injuries lead to permanent disability
Our team investigates thoroughly — reviewing staff records, door alarm logs, and security footage — to uncover exactly what happened.
Why Families Choose Nancy Iler Law Firm
-
Medical Insight: Nancy Iler is a former registered nurse with deep knowledge of care plans and facility standards.
-
Decades of Experience: Over 30 years representing victims of nursing home neglect across Ohio.
-
Aggressive Representation: We hold negligent facilities and corporate owners accountable.
-
No Recovery, No Fee: You pay nothing unless we win compensation for your family.
Dayton Nursing Home Wandering & Elopement FAQs
Q: Are nursing homes required to prevent residents from leaving unsupervised?
A: Yes. Facilities must assess every resident’s risk and take reasonable steps — including alarms, supervision, and secured exits — to prevent elopement.
Q: What should I do right after an incident?
A: Get medical attention for your loved one, report the incident to the Ohio Department of Health, and contact an attorney to start an independent investigation.
Q: Can I sue if my loved one was injured or died after escaping?
A: Yes. If the facility failed to follow proper safety procedures, you may have a claim for negligence or wrongful death.
Q: How soon should I act?
A: Immediately. Evidence like security footage or alarm logs can be lost quickly if not preserved.
Talk to a Dayton Nursing Home Elopement Lawyer
Your loved one deserves to be safe, secure, and supervised in their nursing home.
Call Nancy Iler Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Dayton nursing home wandering and elopement attorney.