Concerns are rising over the safety of seniors in long-term care homes following the tragic death of an elderly resident in Quebec who wandered outside her residence.
A similar incident occurred in Ontario, prompting renewed calls to prevent such occurrences in the future. Emily Hladkowicz shared the story of her grandfather, Heinz, who wandered out of an Ontario long-term care facility in Ottawa and was confined to a locked unit as a result.
Heinz, who had a passion for walking, was labeled as “exit-seeking” and faced punishment for simply wanting to go for a walk. Hladkowicz emphasized that this situation could have been avoided with proper preventive measures in place.
Wandering poses a significant risk to vulnerable residents, particularly those with dementia, in Ontario long-term care homes. Extreme weather conditions exacerbate the issue, leading to tragic outcomes like the recent deaths of two elderly women in Quebec who wandered out and succumbed to the elements.
Vivian Stamatopoulous, an associate teaching professor at Ontario Tech University, highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety measures nationwide in response to these incidents.
The push for better safety protocols includes calls for mandated staff-to-resident ratios to prevent such heartbreaking deaths. Stamatopoulous likened the situation to childcare facilities, emphasizing the necessity of prompt detection and response to wandering incidents in long-term care homes.
Sienna Senior Living, the operator of the Ontario facility where a resident died from exposure, has faced repercussions, with three employees charged with criminal negligence causing death. Stamatopoulous urged the Ford government to enforce stricter regulations to hold negligent homes accountable and prevent further tragedies.