Safe / Unsafe Leaving: A New Way to Think About an Old Problem – “Elopement”

Guide:
Dr. Susan Wehry, MD, Chief of Geriatrics, University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Freedom to come and go is crucial to the experience of home and a high quality of life. In addition, freedom to come and go supports physical activity and wellness.  Freedom to come and go also involves risk.  So when a resident lives with cognitive impairment or a mobility limitation that may compromise their safety, most long-term care and assisted living communities spend a lot of time trying to keep residents safely IN.  Dr. Wehry turns this paradigm on its head and asks ‘how do we help residents BE safely OUT’, leading to the creation of a safe leaving program, which optimizes the sense of home and mitigates the risk of harm. You will not look at “elopements” the same way again!