When families place a loved one in a nursing home — especially someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia — safety is the top priority. One of the most dangerous risks these residents face is wandering, sometimes called elopement, when a resident leaves a supervised area or exits the facility without proper monitoring.

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we have seen how devastating wandering incidents can be. Residents who leave a facility unsupervised may suffer falls, exposure to extreme weather, traffic injuries, dehydration, or worse. In many cases, these incidents are not unavoidable accidents — they are the result of preventable safety failures.

Understanding what wandering is, why it happens, and when a nursing home may be legally responsible can help families protect their loved ones and pursue accountability when necessary.

What Is Resident Wandering and Elopement?

Wandering occurs when a resident moves about unsafely due to confusion, memory impairment, or cognitive decline. Elopement is more serious — it refers to a resident leaving the facility without staff awareness or authorization.

Wandering may include:

• Attempting to exit the building
• Entering restricted or unsafe areas
• Getting lost within the facility
• Roaming unsupervised outdoors

Elopement can result in residents:

• Leaving through unlocked or unmonitored doors
• Slipping past inattentive staff
• Exiting during shift changes or busy periods

For residents with dementia, wandering is a well-known behavioral risk — meaning nursing homes are expected to anticipate and manage it.

Why Residents With Dementia Are at High Risk

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often cause disorientation, restlessness, and confusion about time or place. A resident may believe they need to “go home,” go to work, or meet a family member.

Risk factors for wandering include:

• Memory loss
• Anxiety or agitation
• Boredom or lack of engagement
• Recent relocation
• Unmet physical needs

Because these risks are predictable, nursing homes must create individualized care plans that address them.

What Safety Measures Should Nursing Homes Have in Place?

Nursing homes have a legal duty to implement reasonable safety measures to prevent wandering and elopement. When facilities fail to take basic precautions, they may be liable for resulting injuries.

Appropriate safeguards may include:

• Secure entry and exit systems
• Alarmed or delayed-exit doors
• Wander management bracelets or tracking systems
• Adequate staffing levels
• Regular resident monitoring
• Individualized care plans addressing wandering risk

Facilities that accept residents with dementia are expected to have systems specifically designed to prevent elopement.

Common Causes of Wandering Incidents

While wandering is linked to cognitive decline, elopement incidents are often caused by preventable facility failures.

Frequent contributing factors include:

• Understaffing
• Inadequate supervision
• Broken or disabled alarm systems
• Failure to update care plans
• Poor communication between staff
• Lack of proper training

When a resident repeatedly attempts to wander and the facility does not respond appropriately, the risk escalates significantly.

The Dangers of Elopement

The consequences of wandering or elopement can be catastrophic.

Residents who leave a nursing home unsupervised may face:

• Traffic accidents
• Falls on uneven surfaces
• Hypothermia or heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Assault or exploitation
• Delayed medical treatment

Tragically, some wandering incidents result in wrongful death — particularly when a resident is not located quickly.

When a Nursing Home May Be Legally Responsible

Not every wandering incident automatically means negligence occurred. However, a facility may be legally responsible if it failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.

Negligence may exist if:

• The resident was known to be a wandering risk
• Safety alarms were not functioning
• Doors were left unsecured
• Staff ignored prior wandering attempts
• Supervision was inadequate

Under Ohio law and federal nursing home regulations, facilities must protect residents from predictable risks — including wandering.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Families may notice early signs that a loved one is at risk of wandering or not being properly supervised.

Red flags include:

• Repeated reports of the resident trying to leave
• Staff appearing unaware of the resident’s location
• Malfunctioning security systems
• Inconsistent explanations about supervision
• Sudden injuries with vague details

Taking concerns seriously before a serious incident occurs can be lifesaving.

What Families Should Do After a Wandering Incident

If a loved one has wandered or eloped from a nursing home, immediate action is critical.

Steps may include:

1. Ensure the resident receives medical evaluation
2. Request a detailed incident report
3. Document timelines and staff responses
4. Ask about security and monitoring systems
5. Review the resident’s care plan
6. Seek legal guidance if negligence is suspected

Facilities should conduct internal investigations, but families may need independent review to uncover the full truth.

How Regulatory Violations May Reveal Broader Problems

Inspection reports often reveal prior deficiencies related to supervision, staffing, or security systems. A wandering incident may not be isolated — it may reflect ongoing compliance failures.

Reviewing a facility’s history can uncover:

• Prior elopement events
• Staffing citations
• Inadequate dementia care practices
• Failure to implement corrective measures

Patterns of violations strengthen concerns about systemic negligence.

How Michael Hill Trial Law Helps Families Seek Accountability

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we understand the fear and heartbreak families experience when a vulnerable loved one goes missing — even briefly. These incidents can cause lasting trauma and serious physical harm.

Our firm focuses on cases involving nursing home negligence, unsafe supervision, and preventable injuries to elderly residents. We help families investigate wandering incidents, examine facility safety protocols, and pursue accountability when nursing homes fail to meet their legal obligations.

Preventing Wandering Is a Fundamental Duty

Wandering and elopement are known risks in dementia care. Nursing homes that accept these residents must take proactive steps to keep them safe. When facilities cut corners or ignore warning signs, residents pay the price.

If your loved one was injured after wandering or leaving a nursing home unsupervised, it is important to understand your legal options.

Michael Hill Trial Law is dedicated to protecting elderly residents and their families in Ohio and across the United States.
Contact Michael Hill Trial Law to learn how the firm can help your family pursue accountability and safer nursing home care.