Wandering Nursing Home Residents in Ohio – How Could This Happen?

Few calls are more alarming to receive than, “We can’t find your mother. She seems to have left the facility.” Unfortunately, recent cases in Ohio have once again cast a harsh light on the risks faced by nursing home residents. Families trust these facilities with the safety of their loved ones, and every incident of wandering or elopement is a painful reminder of the gaps in our system. It is the nursing home’s responsibility to prevent wandering residents from leaving the facility and injuring themselves.

Read more: Congress Concerned about High Number of Wandering Deaths in Assisting Living Facilities

Understanding Wandering, Elopement, Escape, and their Risks

Both wandering and elopement involve residents moving around without awareness of personal safety or proper supervision, often leading to tragic consequences.

• Wandering typically occurs when residents with cognitive impairments, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, move about unsupervised within  a facility , putting themselves at risk. They may inadvertently access dangerous areas like stairwells, kitchens, or basements

• Elopement or escape involves a resident leaving the facility or premises entirely without the knowledge of others, often unnoticed until it’s too late. Outside, they can become disoriented, exposed to extreme weather, or wander into traffic.

These situations can lead to devastating outcomes. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) warns that fatality risks increase dramatically if wandering individuals are not located within 24 hours. With growing evidence that over 2,000 such incidents have been recorded since 2018 across assisted living and memory care facilities nationwide, the issue is not only a matter of personal tragedy but also systemic neglect.

Real-Life Wandering and Elopement Tragedies in Ohio

Sadly, Ohio continues to see its share of wandering and elopement tragedies. A recent elopement death reported by People has brought these issues into stark focus. On December 24, 2024, Alvera Meuti, an 84-year-old resident of a care and rehabilitation center in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, was found unresponsive on the facility’s outdoor patio after being left alone for over 10 hours. Initially presumed to have left her brother, delays in  in locating her contributed to her heartbreaking death due to environmental exposure and hypothermia.

In 2023, a 92-year-old memory care resident at Woodside Senior Living in Bedford wandered outside, slipped on ice outside the facility, and was found hours later, deceased. A year later, 74-year-old Robert Weaver wandered out of Cherry Blossom Senior Living in Columbus into extreme temperatures. His body was discovered eight hours later.

Contributing Factors: Staffing Shortages and Safety Protocols

These worst-case scenarios should never occur, but unfortunately, they happen far too often. A major contributing factor is chronic understaffing in nursing homes. Many facilities struggle to maintain proper staff-to-resident ratios, a situation made worse by reliance on temporary workers who may lack specialized training. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) reported that two-thirds of nursing homes face persistent staffing shortages, which increase the risk of wandering incidents.

Recent industry reports, including one highlighted by the Washington Post, point to significant safety lapses—from missed checks to failure to respond to alarms—due to these shortages.

Key problems include:

• Inadequate monitoring. With stretched staffing, regular checks on residents are often compromised, leading to delayed detection of wandering or elopement.
• Lack of advanced safety measures. While some facilities have begun to implement technological solutions—such as wearable tracking devices, door alarms, and video surveillance—many still lack these critical tools.
• Regulatory oversight. Variability in state regulations means that not all facilities are held to the same standards for staffing and safety, leaving gaps in protection.

The unfortunate truth is that nursing homes frequently fail to adequately assess residents for elopement risks or implement effective prevention plans. In many instances, facilities lack essential safety measures to detect when a resident becomes trapped outside and unable to re-enter. These facilities are fully aware that they care for residents with cognitive impairments who cannot recognize danger, and it is their responsibility to plan accordingly.

Learn more: Cameras in Nursing Homes: A Powerful Tool for Preventing Nursing Home Abuse in Ohio

Who Is Most at Risk for Wandering and Elopement?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in ten people with dementia will wander at least once, and many will do so repeatedly. Key factors increasing the risk of wandering and elopement include:

• Verbal cues: Residents may frequently express a desire to leave, saying things like “I need to go home” or “I have to pick up my kids.”
• Cognitive impairments: Dementia and Alzheimer’s significantly increase disorientation and wandering risk.
• Restlessness: Agitation or pacing often precedes wandering.
• Unfamiliar environments: New residents are particularly vulnerable, especially within the first 48 hours of admission.

How Facilities Can Prevent Wandering and Elopement

Nursing homes and assisted living communities must adopt comprehensive measures to protect those entrusted to their care. Some important steps include:

• Thorough assessments. Regular evaluations can help identify which residents are at higher risk for wandering, enabling staff to adjust care plans proactively.
• Individualized care plans. Engaging residents with structured activities and therapies can reduce restlessness and minimize wandering behaviors.
• Adoption of technology. Implementing wearable tracking systems, door alarms, and video surveillance can alert staff to potential risks before it’s too late.
• Improved staffing and training. Ensuring adequate staffing and providing specialized training can empower caregivers to better manage high-risk situations.
• Secure facility design. Modifying environments to include secure outdoor areas and restricted access points can help prevent unauthorized exits.

Is a Nursing Home Liable for Wandering or Elopement?

In most cases, yes. Nursing homes are required to take reasonable precautions to prevent residents from wandering or eloping. With elopement and escape, it is highly likely that a nursing home will be found negligent if an “at-risk” resident simply walks out the door. Failing to monitor at-risk residents, install security systems, or respond promptly to incidents may constitute negligence.

If your loved one has wandered or eloped from a nursing home in Ohio and suffered harm, your family may have grounds for legal action. Facilities that neglect proper staffing, safety protocols, or timely responses can be held accountable for the consequences.

Seeking Justice and Improving Future Care

As a nursing home negligence attorney, I have spent over 30 years fighting for residents and families across Ohio. If your loved one has been affected, please know you are not alone. You deserve answers, accountability, and support during this difficult time.

A Compassionate Invitation to Connect

If your family has experienced the loss or harm of a resident due to wandering or elopement, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Together, we can review your case, discuss the facts, and work toward holding negligent facilities accountable. No one should endure the heartbreak of losing a loved one due to preventable oversights.

Call Today: For a confidential discussion about your situation and to learn about your legal options, please contact our office. Our consultation is free unless we secure compensation on your behalf. Together, we can work toward not only obtaining justice for your loved one but also ensuring that such preventable tragedies are not repeated.

Call Our Firm Today for a Free Consultation with Nancy Iler, Wandering and Elopement Nursing Home Attorney, and to Learn About Your Options