Can Nursing Home Escapes Be Prevented?
When a loved one escapes from a care facility, families are left shaken and searching for answers. If the incident was preventable, and most are, you may need an experienced attorney for nursing home neglect to help you understand your rights and pursue justice.
Sadly, these cases are far too common. Residents, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, are at constant risk of confusion, wandering, and unsafe exits. A nursing home’s failure to prevent escape can result in serious injury or death.
Related reading: Causes of Dangerous Wandering and Escape
What Counts as a Nursing Home Escape?
A nursing home escape, also known as elopement, occurs when a resident leaves the facility without supervision or proper authorization. This could mean slipping out of a door unnoticed, leaving during a shift change, or walking away during an unsupervised activity.
These situations are extremely dangerous, especially for residents with cognitive challenges. They can become lost, injured by falls or traffic, or suffer from exposure. In cases where staff failed to take reasonable precautions, an attorney for nursing home neglect may be able to help you take legal action.
Learn more about The Dangers of Wandering Behavior in Nursing Homes
Is Escape from a Nursing Home Preventable?
Yes, nursing home escapes are largely preventable. Facilities have a duty of care to protect residents from foreseeable harm. This includes having systems in place to monitor, assess, and restrict unsafe wandering.
When basic safety steps are ignored, the risk of harm increases significantly, and may reflect serious negligence.
Learn more: Nursing Home Elopement or Dangerous Wandering: What Happens When a Resident Goes Missing?
How Nursing Homes Can Prevent Escape
Here are six ways facilities should protect residents at risk of wandering:
- Wander Guard systems. Wearable technology alerts staff when a resident tries to exit through secured doors. These tools are especially effective for people with dementia.
- Alarmed and secured exits. Doors should be fitted with alarms, keypad locks, or delayed egress features. The CDC emphasizes secure environments as a best practice in long-term care safety.
- Surveillance cameras. Facilities should monitor entrances, exits, and high-risk areas. In Ohio, Esther’s Law allows families to place cameras in residents’ rooms to provide an additional layer of oversight.
- Individualized care plans. Staff should regularly assess each resident’s risk for wandering and update their care plan accordingly. Lack of updates may be a sign of neglect.
- Safe outdoor access. Secure courtyards or patios allow residents time outdoors without exposing them to harm. When facilities lack these areas or fail to supervise them, residents are at greater risk.
- Adequate staffing. Understaffing in nursing homes is one of the top contributors to escape incidents. Even the best tools can’t make up for a lack of trained personnel.
Escape Prevention Checklist for Families
If your loved one is in a long-term care facility, ask the following:
- Are there wander guard systems in place?
- Are exit doors alarmed or secured?
- Are there cameras in entrances and common areas?
- How often are residents reassessed for escape risk?
- Is there enough staff, especially overnight and on weekends?
- Are safe outdoor areas available and supervised?
- Do staff receive regular training on resident safety?
When to Call an Attorney for Nursing Home Neglect
If your loved one was injured or worse after escaping a nursing home, you don’t have to handle it alone. A qualified attorney for nursing home neglect can help you:
- Determine whether the facility failed in its legal duty of care
- Gather medical records, incident reports, and surveillance footage
- Fight for compensation related to injury, trauma, or wrongful death
As both a former nurse and a practicing attorney, I understand how emotionally difficult and medically complex these cases can be. My goal is to bring answers, accountability, and peace of mind to your family.
Serving Families Across Ohio
At the Nancy C. Iler Law Firm, we represent families throughout Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and all across Ohio. If you suspect neglect or inadequate supervision led to your loved one’s escape, I’m here to investigate what went wrong and advocate for your family.
Talk to an Attorney for Nursing Home Neglect Today
If a nursing home or assisted living facility failed to prevent your loved one’s escape, don’t wait. Contact me today to speak with an experienced, compassionate attorney for nursing home neglect. You deserve answers, and I’m here to help you find them.
